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Environmental Crimes Tribunal Underway–FG
The Federal Government says it is working towards setting up a tribunal that will be responsible for trying perpetrators of environmental crimes across the country.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting yesterday in Abuja in commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED).
The Tide’s source that the WED is commemorated annually on June 5.
The theme for 2024 celebration is “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.’’
Lawal, who frowned at the rate of unsustainable environmental practices in the country, attributed the challenges to lapses in enforcing existing environmental laws.
The minister identified greenhouse emission from factories and other domestic appliances as contributors to climate change challenges currently bedeviling the country.
“Currently, because we are not being strict you discovered that environmental cases are not being treated the way it should be.
“So, we are working hard and very soon the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) will come out with laws to protect our environment, forest and our local environment against pollution.
“So, we are going to establish tribunal that will try environmental crime very quickly so we need AGF’s support.
“I urge the stakeholders to help us in enforcing existing environmental laws we are going to try to improve on the laws protecting our environment.’’
Lawal said that Nigeria was facing environmental challenges like other parts of the world due to variety of factors ranging from deforestation, unsustainable land practices and other impacts of climate change.
He said that such practices not only threatened the health and wellbeing of the people but also jeopardised the development of the ecosystem.’’
Lawal said the country recently signed bilateral framework agreement on transboundary ecosystem conservation, sustainable management of forestry and wildlife resourced with the government of Cameroon.
He identified the gesture as a milestone that would help in the preservation of biodiversity.
The minister urged stakeholders in the sector to recommit themselves to the goal of activating and restoring the country’s land and environment and the stewardship of the planet. .
He specifically tasked all Nigerians on tree planting around their houses.
“We campaign to all of us to plant trees around our houses which is the only way to address degradation and deforestation affecting our land.’’
We need to increase our efforts at tree planting; so, we encourage agencies, departments to come in and support the ministry to plant trees.
“We have to declare emergency on our forest cover which is so bad that we need to take drastic action to address this issue, “he said.
Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said collective action and collaboration was required to tackle the complexities of environmental degradation.
Kambari urged stakeholders to harness the power of innovation and technology, science and traditional knowledge to unlock solutions that would restore the nation’s land, enhance drought resilience and combat desertification.
“Let us not forget the profound connection between environmental sustainability and human wellbeing.
“The health of our ecosystems directly impacts the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on land for food, water and shelter.
“By prioritising environmental conservation, we are not only safeguarding our natural heritage but also promoting socio-economic prosperity and resilience for all,’’ he said.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.