News

ECOWAS Parliament Proposes Legislation On Waste Management

Published

2 months ago

August 1, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Members of the Parliament of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), are proposing legislations for member states to establish waste management plant.

Chairman, Committee on Agriculture and Co-Chairman, Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources/Energy, Mining/Infrastructure of the Parliament, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, disclosed this on Wednesday at the ongoing delocalized meeting in Winneba, Ghana, with the theme ‘Plastic Waste Management: Challenges and Prospects in Implementing Community Policies.’

The committee had undertaken a field tour of a plastic waste landfill and treatment site in Accra, Accra Compost Recycling Plant, a subsidiary of JOSPONG Group of Companies, as part of its efforts to find lasting solutions to the menace of environmental pollution occasioned by poor waste management.

Senator Ndume said there was the need for a harmonized legislation or policy in the Sub-region to replicate such plants across ECOWAS sub-region.

He acknowledged that members of the committee have learnt from the initiative and the imperative of partnership between governments and private sector players.

Managing Director, Compost Recycling Plant, Michael Tuwor, earlier informed the committee that the company enjoys the support and partnership of the Ghanaian government, which has increased the company’s capacity to collect and manage waste effectively.

With over 200 workers, Tuwor noted that about 2,000 tons of waste were processed daily into pebbles, organic manure or packaged for both local and foreign plastic industries, for plastic wares or production of sport wears.

He further revealed that over $20 million revenue was generated annually in addition to $8 million support from the government annually.

The MD specifically noted that without government support, it would have been practically impossible for the company to survive due to high cost of production and other factors.

Also, Vice Chairman, Committee on Energy and Mining and member of Sierra Leone delegation, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, said he was inspired by the activities of the plant and vowed to sponsor a bill in his country towards finding lasting solution to the issue.

He said: “What I have realized recently was the implications of urbanization – the movement of youths from rural to urban centres. So, how can we make a reverse if we cannot give them the opportunity back home?

“We have just toured the plant and have seen the process of turning waste to wealth. I am inspired and I urge this company to replicate the plant in other West African countries. It will help us in the parliament to make uniform, generic legislation or policy on how to effectively manage waste in the Sub-region.

“Noting that government cannot take 100 per cent cost of a recycling process, Lamina joined in endorsing a public, private partnership that Ghana adopted, stressing that it will go a long way in the overall development of the Sub-region”.

Speaking on the delay by African countries to effectively manage waste, he said: “You know that even the Western countries did not get where they are in one day. It is good news for us. We have seen this technology and we can build on it and grow it so that we can take our people out of decadence and rot.”

Chairman, Committee on Infrastructure, Hon. Mamadou Sako, also proposed the support of the private sector on waste management.

According to him, the visit to the plant was necessary to overcome the challenges of environmental pollution, even as emphasized the need for requisite infrastructure.

While congratulating the management of Accra Compost Recycling Plant, Hon. Sako admitted that a lot has been learnt on how to generate income from waste while keeping the environment safe to humans.

Members of the joint committee said there were prepared to engage their respective countries on the need to partner the private sector in taming the tide.

They also called on waste management agencies from across ECOWAS to enforce its laws as a way to control citizens’ negative attitude towards waste disposal.

News

Reps Urge NNPCL, Dangote Refinery to Allow Independent Marketers Lift Petrol

Published

8 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to begin lifting petrol from the new refinery.

This decision followed a motion by Rep. Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State.

During the debate, Rep. Oforji pointed out that although the Dangote Refinery started operations on September 15, 2024, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, only major marketers have been allowed to lift products so far.

He said, “The House is concerned that giving NNPCL and major marketers exclusive rights to lift fuel creates a monopoly, which is unfair. This is the same NNPCL that has mismanaged our crude and refineries for years.”

He added that if this monopoly continues, the fuel scarcity affecting Nigerians will persist, with harmful effects on the economy.

Rep. Oforji also quoted the late MKO Abiola, who had once criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in NNPCL.

“The House is worried that excluding independent marketers from lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is not beneficial,” Oforji said.

He further mentioned that representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) fear they may have to resort to importing fuel to keep their businesses alive.

The lawmaker commended Dangote Group for starting petroleum refining in Nigeria, stating that this could signal the country’s move towards energy self-sufficiency.

“The House recognizes that with this milestone, Nigeria is on the path to saving costs, attracting foreign investment, and boosting its economy through fuel exports and reduced foreign exchange spending,” he added.

Rep. Oforji emphasized that due to the high demand for fuel, it’s crucial that independent marketers are allowed to lift products from the Dangote refinery.

To improve fuel availability, the House urged Dangote Refinery to establish or collaborate to set up depots across the country.

Meanwhile, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has formed a panel led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to work with the Senate in investigating the petroleum sector crisis and finding solutions.

Other members of the committee include Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), among others.

News

FG moves to allow payment in Naira to NIMASA, NPA

Published

9 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The federal government is proposing the collection of charges, fines and others, by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), be in naira rather than in foreign currencies.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, spoke on Wednesday during a press briefing at the state house in Abuja.

According to Onanuga, the proposal is part of the economic stabilisation bills (ESBs) to be presented by President Bola Tinubu to the national assembly.

On Monday, the federal executive council (FEC) approved the economic stabilisation bills seeking amendment of tax policies.

Onanuga said the plan is part of an effort from the federal government to prioritise the use of naira and reduce pressure on the foreign exchange (FX) market.

“The second one has to do with the operating laws guiding NIMASA and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA). The amendment under that in the economic stabilisation bills is that all their fees, charges, levies, fines and other monies accruing to them and payable to those agencies will now be paid in naira at the applicable exchange rate,” Onanuga said.

“Hitherto, those agencies were charging in dollars but now collect it in naira. This government wants to put a lot of emphasis on our national currency instead of everything being dollarised in our economy.”

Since the unification of the naira on June 14, the country’s currency has significantly deteriorated, depreciating from N471.67 per dollar to N1667.42/$ in the official market as of Wednesday.

As part of its effort to reduce demand for dollars, the federal government said on October 1, it would commence the sale of crude oil in naira to the Dangote refinery and other local refineries.

News

Three arrested in Benin Republic over alleged ‘coup’ conspiracy

Published

10 hours ago

September 26, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior.

Benin prosecutors announced that three notable individuals, including a commander of the presidential guard, have been detained under suspicion of orchestrating a “coup d’etat” in the small West African country.

The other two individuals accused of plotting a coup are a former sports minister and a businessman with close ties to President Patrice Talon.

Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, revealed that the alleged coup was scheduled to occur on Friday.

“It seems the Republican Guard commander responsible for the president’s security was recruited by Minister Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko to carry out a forceful coup on September 27, 2024,” the prosecutor stated.

Homeky was apprehended around 1:00 am on Tuesday while transferring six bags of money amounting to 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre.

Boko, a close associate of President Patrice Talon, was arrested separately overnight from Monday to Tuesday in Benin’s economic hub of Cotonou, the court disclosed.

He had recently hinted at his intention to vie for the presidency in 2026, as Talon is barred by the constitution from seeking another term when his second term concludes.