Niger Delta
WED: Association Tasks Fubara On PH Garden City Status
As a way of marking this year’s World Environment Day, the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN) organised an inaugural seminar and other activities in Port Harcourt recently to give meaning and expression to the global event.
It is, therefore, against this backdrop that the body has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to set machinery in motion to commence the processes of restoring Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
The National President of AELN and Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law at the Rivers State University, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, who made the call in his address at the occasion said there is need for the Rivers State Government, which recently promised an inclusive and sustainable development trajectory, to commence the process of restoring Port Harcourt to its Garden City status, with minimal and acceptable levels of pollution to a green city which will not only attract tourists and investors but ready to promote security and welfare of citizens in tandem with the social contract between the government and the people of the State.
Dike noted that the association which was incorporated in 2019 to address all shades of environmental degradation and to raise awareness on the roles of the citizens and societies to the problems of environmental pollution, as a non-profit organisation that depends on charity, had established chapters in Bayelsa, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Borno and Ekiti States, among others.
He further indicated that the association had also established in Rivers State Environmental Clubs in some universities, colleges and Green Advocates in secondary schools with the aim of broadening the conversation of environmental advocacy by the most vulnerable in the society.
The Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University also hinted that the association has equally carried out various awareness programmes, advocacy, radio and television talks, tree planting sessions and community mobilisation in the State as well as proposed, through its Research and Advocacy Department measures for the eradication of soot in the State, which measures were implemented by the former the former Governor Nyesom Wike administration, which he noted led to drastic reduction in illegal refining activities and pollution incidence in the State.
He said the association would very soon, in collaboration with Green peace in the United Kingdom, the International Environmental Management and Assessment, United Kingdom, National Oil Spill And Response Agency( NOSDRA); and National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency( NESREA) commence the awards of certificates to lawyers as associate members, full members, chartered members and fellows in environmental advocacy, and called on lawyers to avail themselves of the opportunity for the task of advocating for a cleaner and sustainable environment in Nigeria.
Dike described the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, as epochal and vital because, as he put it, plastic pollution affects both green, blue economy and sustained development of a nation, stressing that plastic pollution is dangerous and cancerous because plastics wastes are non-biodegradable.
According to him, the process of recalling of plastic wastes, recycling, reusing, rebranding and reduction of wastes caused by plastics is so economically high that most governments would prefer to look the other way than to bring polluters to book.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Rivers State and chairman of the occasion, Justice Simeon Amadi highlighted the need for prompt and urgent actions to be taken to address environmental pollution in the State.
Represented by a Judge of the High Court, Justice( Mrs) L. C. Thompson, Amadi said the time to address the challenges posed by environmental pollution is now.
He, however, indicated that there is need to muster the necessary political will to drive a better and cleaner environment both on the part of the government and the people, stressing that the people’s cooperation in tackling the menace is very important since, according to him, if the people do not cooperate, nothing will happen.
To actually appreciate the tremendous harm environmental pollution has inflicted and caused the State, he said people should visit hospitals and see the number of children suffering from respiratory problems, adding that creeks and mangroves in some parts of the State are worst hit, as sea foods, a major delicacy of the people are destroyed.
“The time for action is now”, he said.
On his part, the Chairman of AELN, Rivers State Branch, Barrister Simple Dioha said WED acts as a reminder for people to be more considerate and aware of the Earth’s existing conditions in terms of the environment, adding that this year’s event serves as a reminder that people’s actions regarding plastic pollution are important.
“And of course, we all know the degrading and devastating impacts of plastic wastes to the Garden City status of Port Harcourt. People must therefore take action to spread awareness about the environment and also motivate others to do same with the hope of creating a better future”, he said.
The inaugural seminar featured former Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University, Prof Ovunda V.C.Okene; and the current Rivers State Commissioner for Education and Professor of Geography and Environmental Management, Prof Chinedu Mmom as keynote speakers.
Speaking on the topic, “Deepening Democratic Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Rivers State: Agenda for the New Administration”, Okene spoke with candour and stressed the need for politicians to transit from being politicians to being leaders as soon as they are elected into office by running government of inclusivity.
Okene, who was represented by Dr Edwin Jonathan described former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as his hero for having gone beyond party politics to put in place laudable infrastructural projects across the State.
On the other hand, Prof Mmom, who spoke on the topic, “ Restoring the Garden City Status of Port Harcourt: The Case of Plastic Pollution and Management in Rivers State”, recommended the ban on use of plastic bags in Nigeria, saying, Nigeria ranks 9th in the world in terms of plastic pollution and the highest in Africa.
Represented by Associate Prof Olarenwaju Lawan, Mmom noted that plastic pollution accounts for environmental degradation in cities like Port Harcourt as plastic materials are indicriminately dumped in drainages and other places, and called for change of attitude.
The highpoints of the event were the inauguration of the Rivers State executive of the association by the Chief Judge; the launching of the association’s Environmental Law Journal; and cutting of the inaugural cake.
By: Donatus Ebi
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has called for regular release of funds to the judiciary to ensure effective dispensation of justice.
Obot made the call recently while speaking at the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year in Uyo.
The Chief Judge said the judiciary in Akwa Ibom State had been grappling with debts arising from non-release of funds in 2023.
She said the judiciary required adequate funding to perform optimally, saying, “we need funds to maintain our facilities across the hierarchy of courts in the state”.
Obot further stated that the state judiciary was hugely under-staffed, and required more manpower.
“The last recruitment into the state judiciary was done in 2012. There is need to address the issue of shortage of staff in the system.
“Shortage of staff has made us to assign only one staff to cover duty schedules that are meant for two or three persons.
“Within the last two years, no fewer than 316 staff have retired from the state judiciary without replacement.
“When retirement goes on for many years without regular replacement, many skills and competences will be lost”, she said.
The Chief Judge decried the absence of basic educational facilities in correctional centres in state.
She suggested the establishment of adult education facilities within the correctional centres to support the education needs of inmates.
“Inmates require basic primary, secondary education and skills acquisition facilities to earn the needed reform”, she said.
In his remarks, the State Governoe, Umo Eno, assured the judiciary of the state government’s support and cooperation to enhance effective dispensation of justice.
Eno commended the Chief Judge and the judiciary in the state for their steadfastness and commitment to justice delivery.
The Tide’s source reports that a special court session was held during the event to signal the commencement of new legal year.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has said the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was determined to deliver quality road projects to all Deltans across the State.
The Commissioner, who spoke recently during an inspection of projects in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of the state, said Governor Oborevwori was desirous to ensure that Deltans get value for every money spent on projects in the state.
The projects inspected include Central Hospital Road, Warri; Edo Guest House Road, Ekpan; Ogbetuo Avenue, Effurun; Rehabilitation and construction of Bright Hope Street with spurs to Okiemute Street, and Senator James Manager Street, Off Airport Road, Effurun, and Uti Road, Effurun.
Izeze, who paid unscheduled visits to the various project sites, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done thus far by the various contractors, assuring that Governor Oborevwori’s promise to revamp Warri and environs was becoming a reality.
“I am very satisfied with the work being done at the places we have visited so far. As you can see, the visits were not scheduled, the contractors were not expecting us because I did not call any of them.
“We decided to take them unawares in the hope that probably some of them may have decided to go on vacation. Right from the Central Hospital where the drains are being extended to discharge water into the natural waterways for the road to be reasphalted.
“We are satisfied that the contractor was on site and working according to specifications as provided for in the Bills of Engineering Measurement (BEME).
“So also the contractor handling Ogbetuo Avenue, Effurun, when we got there even though they were not physically on site, we noticed that they have done the binder course waiting for the finishing course to be applied and I can certify that the quality of work done are good enough”, he said.
At Bright Hope Street with spurs to Okiemute Street and James Manager Street, the Commissioner said he visited to see the level and quality of work that has been done, especially considering the fact that the contractor was raising his final certificate.
“For me as a matter of principle and following the Governor’s directive, any job that requires certification, will need my physical presence to inspect and ensure that government is getting value for money spent.
“As Governor Oborevwori has promised Deltans, he intends to extract value for every money spent on every job that is done and he insists on quality supervision.
“As you all know, supervision and management is key to most of our projects because contractors are capitalists, if you leave them they will want to make the highest profit as possible. So we go back and certify that the job is satisfactory”, he noted.
At Uti Road, Effurun, the Commissioner, who met the contractor excavating the ground and sand filling with white sharp sand as provided in the BEME, took measurements of the depth and expressed satisfaction with the contractor for following specifications.
“As you can see, the contractor is on site and doing the job according to specification and we do hope that they speed up their pace so that as soon as the rains abate, they can get the road ready for inauguration.
“We are optimistic of its completion soonest so that all the residents and adjoining streets that this strategic road feeds will heave a sigh of relief.
“They will also appreciate the fact that Governor Oborevwori’s promise to give Warri and environs a facelift is now coming to reality right before their very eyes”.
On Edo Guest House Road, Ekpan, Izeze said, “the job has been completed and you can see the quality of work that has been done, the job has been completed.
“I am very elated that the residents are happy with the completion. All through the period we visited on inspection, the residents had always asked us to convey their appreciation to Governor Oborevwori because they had thought the road would never be completed.
“You can see how elated they were and that is the essence of governance. When you are able to put smile on the face of someone who does not need to have access to you to have development brought to their door step.
“I felt very fulfilled because the essence of governance is public service and when you service the public and they appreciate it, its quite exciting”.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on security operatives to investigate the state’s Commissioner for Power, Engr. Komuku Kharim over alleged terror attacks at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Briefing newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting of the party’s State Executive Council, Chairman of the party, Barr. Dennis Otiotio, alleged that as a fallout of the recent suspension of some erring members of the party by their Wards and Local Government Areas, thugs believed to be loyal to the Commissioner launched mayhem and unwarranted attacks at the party’s State Secretariat.
Otiotio faulted the Commissioner, describing it as “political rascality taken too far”.
The Tide learnt that the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC recently suspended 10 of its members, including the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, over alleged anti-party activities.
Leadership of the party, which also bared its mind on the membership status of the suspended Minister and others, noted that the State Working Committee (SWC) was planning a possible review or ratification of the suspension within timelines, saying as party faithful, it was expedient that all members work together for the progress and unity of the party in accordance with the renewed hope mantra of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We call on the Nigerian Police and other security formations to institute an investigation on the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Power, Engr. Komuku Kharim, and call him and his thugs to order.
“This morning, Monday 14th October, 2024, thugs and other hoodlums believed to be loyal to him stormed the APC State Secretariat in their numbers with the intent to maim party faithful and cause unwarranted destruction.
“The recent suspension of some erring members of the party, including the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (oil), and others wasn’t carried out by the party’s State Executive Council, but by the wards and LGAs chapters of the suspended members.
“As a party, we’ve conducted ourselves within the ambits of the law. The APC is a party that believes in the rule of law and order. It’s on record that the said Commissioner until his recent appointment by the Governor Douye Diri’s administration has been allegedly enmeshed in several anti-party activities.’’
“Rather than direct his grievances to the appropriate party authorities and other available dispute resolution mechanisms within the party, Engr. Komuku instead chose to unleash mayhem on the party’s secretariat and members”, the APC said.
In the same vein, the lawmaker representing Southern-Ijaw constituency 4 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor-Ben Selekaye, has charge the party’s faithfuls and the general public to discountenance rumours that the present State Working Committee of the party has been sacked by the court.
He said it became necessary to correct the erroneous believe as, according to him, that matter has been resolved by organs of the party at all levels, noting that the party was looking forward to an expanded state working committee meeting were all stakeholders will be in attendance to resolve all perceived grievances and other pending issues.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa