News

Reps Summon Environment Minister, DG NEMA

Published

9 months ago

May 28, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Environment and Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to appear before its Committee on Environment or face sanctions accordingly.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the duo were expected to appear at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Environment to address the devastating issues of gully erosion, perennial flooding, and desertification that plague many communities in Nigeria, but did not honour the invitation nor send a representative.

The hearing was to address the adverse impacts of gully erosion in several communities across six states, namely, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Ondo; as well as the desertification disaster in Kano and the flooding disaster in Bauchi State.

Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Rep. Committee on Environment, Hon Pondi Gbabojor, expressed displeasure over their absence, even as he said it was the second time they were shunning the invitation to appear.

He therefore directed the clerk of the Committee to write to the Minister of Environment and DG NEMA as such attitude would no longer be condoned.

He said: “Clerk do a letter to the Ministry of Environment and NEMA and express the displeasure of the committee because this is the second time they are not showing up and it would not be condoned again”.

Rep. Gbabojor said that the issue to be addressed was of urgent concern to the wellbeing of Nigerians, especially as the concerns were brought to the attention of the House during plenary, following the deliberation of some motions which were accordingly referred for further legislative actions.

He said the environmental crisis resulting from gully erosion is more prevalent in the South-Eastern region, and has reached an alarming stage.

He said the degradation has not only depleted the vast fertile land for agriculture, but has also impacted the infrastructure such as roads, buildings and ultimately displacement of communities.

The Committee Chairman further said over time, perennial flooding had unleashed its devastating consequences in many parts of Nigeria, especially in coastal and riverine areas, particularly Lagos, Delta, and Bayelsa, which has resulted in great human, agricultural, and economic losses.

He added that equally, desertification, particularly in the northern parts, is swiftly encroaching and that this silent but relentless crisis reduces fertile land, threatens food security, and deepens poverty.

Gbabojor said desert encroachment has affected and continues to affect millions of people who depend on agriculture for their survival.

“As the Committee on Environment, alongside other pertinent committees of the House, we recognize the urgent need to address these challenges comprehensively and to chart a course toward sustainable solutions that will protect our environment and provide relief to the affected individuals and communities.

“It is in light of the above, that this Hearing is convened today, to enable us to gather insights from experts, stakeholders, and affected communities, and to deliberate on the multifaceted and severe environmental crises we face as a Nation”, he stated.

He explained that the House following its consideration of the Motions, called on Institutions of Government to amongst others provide immediate relief materials to ameliorate the sufferings of the affected residents and possibly resettle them; visit the affected areas, and carry out a comprehensive review to ascertain the extent of environmental damage caused by these incidents; and expedite the construction of shoreline protection as a matter of urgency to prevent further erosion-related damage and ensure the survival of these communities.

He added that they are also to embark on a mass afforestation program that includes the planting of economic trees, development of shelter belts, woodlots to enhance soil conservation, improve biodiversity and increase fuel wood, while also providing seeds and farm inputs that are resistant to drought; prioritize projects that promote environmental conservation in budgetary allocations; and allocate funds to accommodate the erosion control projects, flood management systems, and desertification prevention programs in the affected communities in the 2025 Appropriation Act.

“We must take proactive measures to forestall natural occurrences that lead to environmental degradation. This includes investing in research and development to better understand and predict environmental changes, by adhering to early warning systems, and developing resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental shocks.

“While I look forward to fruitful discussions and valuable insights that will emerge from this hearing, which will hopefully shape the future of our environment and the well-being of our people. I urge everyone to approach and accord this task the seriousness it demands and the collaborative spirit it requires. Together, we can develop and implement strategies that will protect our environment, provide relief to those affected, and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Nigerians,” Gbadojor said.

Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, said the prevalence of climate change had impacted the environment harmfully, resulting in an increased wave of erosion, desertification, flooding, and other forms of natural disasters that have assumed severe and worrisome dimensions in the vulnerable communities across the 36 states of the Federation.

The Speaker who was represented by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Rep. Abdullahi Halims, said the ecological threats have specifically caused deaths, displacement of homes, devastation of farmlands and means of livelihood, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to socio-economic challenges in communities across the eight states captured in the public hearing.

“As the People’s Parliament and in line with our Legislative Agenda of embarking on legislative processes and legal frameworks to address environmental challenges, the House resolved to respond urgently to the menace in the communities to stem the ugly tide. On this note, I urge you to feel free to make your contributions in the most resourceful and open manner possible to provoke positive legislative results”, he said.

News

Naira Continues to slide Against Dollar At The Black Market

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Naira continued its fall against the dollar at the parallel foreign exchange market on Thursday.

A Bureau de Change operator in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Abubakar Alhasan, said that the Naira dropped to N1500 per dollar on Thursday from N1490 exchanged on Wednesday.

This showed that the Naira fell by N10 against the dollar on Thursday compared to the N1,490 per dollar exchange rate the previous day.

Recall that this is the second time this week, the naira had weakened at the black market.

Meanwhile, at the official market, the Naira rose slightly by N0.04 to N1,499.07 on Thursday from N1,499.11 on Wednesday.

News

Troops Nab Notorious Bandit, Hassan in Zamfara

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Troops have nabbed Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, a notorious bandit kingpin terrorizing communities in Mada, Tsafe, and other parts of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama, shared the news on Friday via a post on his X handle, revealing that the operation took place on February 27 in the Gusau Local Government Area of the state. The troops, part of Operation FANSAR YANMA, carried out a well-planned ambush, resulting in a fierce firefight. Several bandits were killed during the operation, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

Initially, Nabamamu fled to nearby homes but was soon pursued and captured alive by the security forces. However, hours after his arrest, his gang, led by Bakin Malam, retaliated by attacking Chediya, Bamamu, and Makera villages. The gang issued threats to residents, warning them of violent action unless Nabamamu was released. This prompted many villagers to flee in fear.

The Nigerian troops, however, quickly responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to retreat and preventing further attacks. Both air and land troops were deployed to safeguard the area while intelligence operations continue to track down fleeing gang members.

Nabamamu, who hails from Tsafe, Gidan Alhaji Kaduna, began his criminal activities as an Almajiri before attending Model Primary School, Tsafe. For over three decades, he was involved in armed robbery and later became one of the first Fulani men to engage in large-scale banditry in Zamfara. His criminal notoriety began with a violent robbery at the home of Sani Dan Kyaso, during which multiple murders were committed.

News

FG speaks As Air France Diverts to Togo, Leaving Nigerian Passengers Stranded

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Some Nigerian passengers were left frustrated and delayed after an Air France flight, traveling from Paris to Abuja, was rerouted to Lomé, Togo, due to bad weather in the Nigerian capital.

This unexpected turn of events prompted a quick response from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. He voiced his concerns over how Air France handled the situation.

The airline’s decision to land in Lomé was made to avoid a risky landing in Abuja caused by severe weather. However, Keyamo expressed dissatisfaction with the airline’s plan to leave passengers stranded overnight in Lomé, despite the weather in Abuja clearing up and the aircraft being ready to return.

Taking to his official social media, Keyamo confirmed that he had contacted both his team and Air France to demand immediate action. He insisted that passengers be promptly flown back to Abuja or, if they had to stay in Lomé, they should receive proper accommodations and care according to international standards.

“I’ve been alerted about the situation involving mostly Nigerian passengers stuck in Lomé by Air France. I stressed that they must return to Abuja tonight, or if they stay in Lomé, they should be treated according to best international standards,” Keyamo tweeted on Thursday night.

Passengers, understandably upset, had voiced concerns about the lack of communication and the potential for being left stranded. Thankfully, due to Keyamo’s intervention, efforts were made to ensure their safe return to Abuja.