Hotels operations offends health law – FG

Hotels operations offends health law – FG

Osadebamwen Patrick

Five star hotels across the country will be inspected regularly to ensure their compliance to sanitation standards expected in the hospitality industry, the federal ministry of environment has said.

The decision followed an indicting report Environmental Health Officers from the ministry of environment after visitation to hotels across the country.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Sambo Bashar gave this hint recently at the world sanitation day.

The report showed that hotels in the country use outdated facilities that undermines the health law of the country and could compromise the health status of guests.

According to him, “Environmental officers visited five stars hotels and found out that most of the facilities were worn out and the management runs the hotel below the standard required.”

He called on the National Assembly to support the ministry to strengthen the laws on environmental matters especially as it concerns sanitation which is critical for sustainable health condition.

Expanding its drive to rid the nation of poor sanitation habit especially in public places, Sambo said that both seaports and airports will be visited at sporadic interval for inspections as a measure to prevent spread of diseases internationally.

He regretted the continued poor sanitation habit that appeared to be growing among the population which negates sustainable environmental sanitation in Nigeria following sights of several refuse dump across the country and called for a better sanitation habit.

Sambo said the situation has become imperative as it has undermined eco-tourism thus affecting the federal government efforts at diversification of the economy.

According to him, “So far poor environmental sanitation is still a major problem in our urban centres and communities. Heaps of refuse have continued to assault our visual senses in many cities across the country. This poses a serious threat to tourism and thereby undermines the diversification of the economy which government is promoting.”

He maintained that sound environment measures must be taken to make the nation healthy and productive as the country combats the challenges of poverty and hunger, infant and maternal mortality .

The permanent secretary observed that Nigeria lags behind in its target to meet the Millennium Development Goal target for sustainable sanitation. Sambo said that the theme of this year’s commemoration “Cleanliness: Gateway to healthy living” further highlighted the importance of renewed effort for better sanitary condition.

According to him, the federal government through the ministry of environment has evolved a strategic approach of collaboration with stakeholders, civil society group and donor agencies to address the critical environmental challenges facing the nation.

Nigerian Wash Ambassador and former head of service, Engr. Ebele Okeke who was a guest speaker at the event said in spite of the global quest for improved sanitation spanning over a decade between 1981 to 1991 billion of people were still not served with most of whom are from the developing country like Nigeria.

The wash ambassador also stated that in the 1990s, Nigeria made a significant stride on sanitation which increased from 35% in 1990 to 40% in 2005 and further increased by 51% to 55% at the same period.

She said the access and progress rate are comparable to the average records in the Sub-Sahara Africa however Nigerian’s large population means that more people in the country are living without sanitation than in other part of the country.

Okeke called on the government to appropriate adequate funding to the sector and focus attention on promoting clean and healthy environment at various constituencies.

She pointed out that the present electoral enlightenment would soon lead to the political ambush by the electorate in the future when they would insist on sanitation programme from their legislators before electing them.

She lamented that status on the millennium Development Goal MDG was stalling the advancement o Africa in the same direction. “Our millennium Development Goals rating for sanitation, Nigeria is not on target. If Nigeria does not meet the millennium Development Goals, so will Africa not she lamented.

Preserving Future Generation Through The Environment

Patrick Osadebamwen

World Environment Day has directed global attention on the preservation of bio-diversity which has proved to be of significant wealth for mankind. The attention resulted from the threat of extinction observed around the globe on bio-diversity from activities of constructions etc.

Amongst the endemic species are drill monkey and birds. They are among the hundreds of animals on the redlist of globally threatened species. Although they are not extinct but there is a serious concern for their exticntion if necessary actions are not taken by relevant authorities and stakeholders to avert this crisis which at the moment can be resolved through disciplined observance of environmentally friendly processes.

Many species of flora and fauna are today endangered. This informed this year’s theme for World Environment Day, WED, Celebration: “Many Spacies, One Planet, One Future. The theme does not only encapsulate the interest of the United Nations on the preservation of the biodiversity of the planet alone.  It also stress the threatening habits of man in his environment leading to near or total extinction of some of the species of plants and animals.

Celebrating WED in Nigeria, the Minister of Environment John Ogar Odey, pointed to the issue of lost of biodiversity in the country. “We are faced with bio-diversity loss despite mounting efforts over the past 20 years” Odey said. Efforts have been geared towards pushing for public awareness on the need to preserve every existing specie of animals in the land as they hold a unique importance in the balance of nature and contribute to the rich bio-diversity asset base of the country and the world at large.

Already the country has been identified as global hotspot for its primate species of great diversity. This is owing to its unique geographical position in Africa and the variability in its climatic and geographical features which facilitated her endowment as one of the world’s richest bio-diversity on the continent. Cross River state reserves these assets for the country in the Gulf of Guinea which the country shares.

However, reports of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the global assets of bio-diverity have indicated high loss of important specie across the globe. Nigeria is inclusive on the list of country experiencing this dearth of some if its primate bio-diversity. Nigeria has 148 and 146 animals and plants respectively that are on the globally endangered list of thee (IUCN) amongst these 26 animals and 18 planta are classified as endangered.

Biodiversity also supports a number of natural ecosystem processes and services that benefit society like air quality climate both global and local CO2 sequestration), water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion.

Autorities have said that there is continued global concern that the period since the emergence of humans is part of a mass reduction in biodiversity, the Holocene extinction, caused primarily by the impact humans are having on the environment, particularly the destruction of plant and animal habitats.

Odey believes that the challenge of poaching by local hunters for meat and other activities that negates the doctrine of environmental preservation can be conquered through adequate awareness amongst the people who are often victim of their own actions, though carried out ignorantly.

Experts noted that biodiversity is not distributed evenly on earth, but is consistently rich in the tropics and in specific localized regions. Nigeria enjoys this rare privilege of nature. It was this fact that made the minster to say that WED celebration in Nigeria was part of efforts to reduce the awareness gap amongs the Nigerian population and highlighting that the environment has its economic advantage. This is even more important as the resources are naturally richly entrusted to some places like Nigeria which place the onus on us to protect the local assets with world interests that stretches into our future.

“Protecting the environment is an economic policy which involve everyone, provides for all species and plan for our future. We are therfore on this occasion to create awareness and enhance the inclulcation of environmentally friendly habits and lifestyles in the populace so as to ensure that all nations and people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future,” Odey observed.

He noted that human actions in the areas of deforestation, habitat destructions over-haresting and pollution as well as other natural and man-made threats. While this ha form part of our cultivating habits it was important that we reverse them to suit environmental friendly manner. As a responsible country and signatory to various treaties on the conservation and preservation of the environment the country remains committed to these conventions.

Pursuance to this commitemet to a safer environment, conservation and sustainable utilization of bodiversity and natural resources, the federal governement has put in place a number of policies which include: National Erosion and Flood Control Policy; National Environmental Sanitation Policy and the National Forestry policy. The others are National Drought and Desertification Policy and National policy on E-waste Control and Management.

According to Odey, one major step which the government took in protecting our natural resources is the extensive Presidential reafforestation and afforestation programme. The project includes community based wood lots, control of fuel wood extraction from the reserves and the development of a more efficient wood stoves.

He said the afforestaton programme is a mitigation measure against the impact of climate change through Carbon sequestration. “The programme focuses on combating the problem of desertification, empowering rural communities economically and creating millions of green jobs among our youth.” This development also helps to conserve the biodiversity in these areas.

As the world celebrates the Many species in one planet to secure the future it is important that the drive for a more environmentally friendly practices be adopted for the benefit of all both in our time and the future.

 

 

Preserving Future Generation Through The Environment

Patrick Osadebamwen

World Environment Day has directed global attention on the preservation of bio-diversity which has proved to be of significant wealth for mankind. The attention resulted from the threat of extinction observed around the globe on bio-diversity from activities of constructions etc.

Amongst the endemic species are drill monkey and birds. They are among the hundreds of animals on the redlist of globally threatened species. Although they are not extinct but there is a serious concern for their exticntion if necessary actions are not taken by relevant authorities and stakeholders to avert this crisis which at the moment can be resolved through disciplined observance of environmentally friendly processes.

Many species of flora and fauna are today endangered. This informed this year’s theme for World Environment Day, WED, Celebration: “Many Spacies, One Planet, One Future. The theme does not only encapsulate the interest of the United Nations on the preservation of the biodiversity of the planet alone.  It also stress the threatening habits of man in his environment leading to near or total extinction of some of the species of plants and animals.

Celebrating WED in Nigeria, the Minister of Environment John Ogar Odey, pointed to the issue of lost of biodiversity in the country. “We are faced with bio-diversity loss despite mounting efforts over the past 20 years” Odey said. Efforts have been geared towards pushing for public awareness on the need to preserve every existing specie of animals in the land as they hold a unique importance in the balance of nature and contribute to the rich bio-diversity asset base of the country and the world at large.

Already the country has been identified as global hotspot for its primate species of great diversity. This is owing to its unique geographical position in Africa and the variability in its climatic and geographical features which facilitated her endowment as one of the world’s richest bio-diversity on the continent. Cross River state reserves these assets for the country in the Gulf of Guinea which the country shares.

However, reports of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the global assets of bio-diverity have indicated high loss of important specie across the globe. Nigeria is inclusive on the list of country experiencing this dearth of some if its primate bio-diversity. Nigeria has 148 and 146 animals and plants respectively that are on the globally endangered list of thee (IUCN) amongst these 26 animals and 18 planta are classified as endangered.

Biodiversity also supports a number of natural ecosystem processes and services that benefit society like air quality climate both global and local CO2 sequestration), water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion.

Autorities have said that there is continued global concern that the period since the emergence of humans is part of a mass reduction in biodiversity, the Holocene extinction, caused primarily by the impact humans are having on the environment, particularly the destruction of plant and animal habitats.

Odey believes that the challenge of poaching by local hunters for meat and other activities that negates the doctrine of environmental preservation can be conquered through adequate awareness amongst the people who are often victim of their own actions, though carried out ignorantly.

Experts noted that biodiversity is not distributed evenly on earth, but is consistently rich in the tropics and in specific localized regions. Nigeria enjoys this rare privilege of nature. It was this fact that made the minster to say that WED celebration in Nigeria was part of efforts to reduce the awareness gap amongs the Nigerian population and highlighting that the environment has its economic advantage. This is even more important as the resources are naturally richly entrusted to some places like Nigeria which place the onus on us to protect the local assets with world interests that stretches into our future.

“Protecting the environment is an economic policy which involve everyone, provides for all species and plan for our future. We are therfore on this occasion to create awareness and enhance the inclulcation of environmentally friendly habits and lifestyles in the populace so as to ensure that all nations and people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future,” Odey observed.

He noted that human actions in the areas of deforestation, habitat destructions over-haresting and pollution as well as other natural and man-made threats. While this ha form part of our cultivating habits it was important that we reverse them to suit environmental friendly manner. As a responsible country and signatory to various treaties on the conservation and preservation of the environment the country remains committed to these conventions.

Pursuance to this commitemet to a safer environment, conservation and sustainable utilization of bodiversity and natural resources, the federal governement has put in place a number of policies which include: National Erosion and Flood Control Policy; National Environmental Sanitation Policy and the National Forestry policy. The others are National Drought and Desertification Policy and National policy on E-waste Control and Management.

According to Odey, one major step which the government took in protecting our natural resources is the extensive Presidential reafforestation and afforestation programme. The project includes community based wood lots, control of fuel wood extraction from the reserves and the development of a more efficient wood stoves.

He said the afforestaton programme is a mitigation measure against the impact of climate change through Carbon sequestration. “The programme focuses on combating the problem of desertification, empowering rural communities economically and creating millions of green jobs among our youth.” This development also helps to conserve the biodiversity in these areas.

As the world celebrates the Many species in one planet to secure the future it is important that the drive for a more environmentally friendly practices be adopted for the benefit of all both in our time and the future.

 

 

Waste Management FG Targets Satellite Town

Patrick Osadebamwen

Gate-way towns and satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory and its environment have been identified as strategic component area to be included in the federal government initiative on clean and sustainable environment programme.

This was highlighted during the inauguration of the Committee on Clean up of some selected satellite towns around the Federal Capital Territory, by the Minister of Environment Mr. John Ogar Odey at Mabushi Abuja.

The Minister of Environment said the action was part of government commitment to ensure that the country is not only kept clean but to conform to global standards maintaining a sustainable environment in the country.

Odey who was represented by his permanent secretary Dr. Biodun Olorunfemi said like the environment, our towns and cities are central to the nation’s socio-economic and political activities adding that the town and cities require maximum attention in terms of environmental cleanliness and aesthetics as necessary ingredients to attracting foreign investors.

In his remark the, Dr. Olorunfemi stated that Nigeria cannot continue to call on foreign investors to invest in the country while it at the same time the country closes its eyes to the issues of environmental sanitation which goes a long way to enhance our image as a people who care for the environment.

Terms of reference for the committee in the short term includes immediate cleaning of the backlog of garbage around the FCT,; develop a strategy of continuous collection and disposal of waste and developing a sustainable funding mechanism as well as a strategy for Waste to wealth and waste to energy programmes to be integrated into the master plan of the satellite towns.

The committee would also concretize strategic plan of relevant state and local government areas as well as develop proposals for the federal government intervention in these areas.

While the medium term would focus on the federal government provision of equipment for the activities it would also look at a long term programme in the areas of private sector participation in clean-up and development of sustainable mechanism for waste generation and collection.

 

NESREA Shuts Glo Site

Patrick Osadebamwen

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA has continued its onslaught on companies that have defied the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment on their various sites of operation with a view to enforce them.

The Agency decommissioned a telecommunication mast operated by Globacom within a residential area in OAU Quarters inMaitama, Abuja as the company’s mast site was being operated in contravention of environmental laws and regulations.

NESREA’s Deputy Director in charge of Inspection , Compliance and Monitoring, Mrs. Miranda Amachree said “following petitions from residents, an investigation was carried out by the Agency, which revealed that Globacom did not obtain the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate before the erection of the mast”.

In addition to non-compliance with environmental certification, Mrs. Amachree disclosed that tests carried out at the site showed that “the noise level was very high compared to what should be obtainable in a residential area”.

She said “the mast also violated the regulation on the distance between a telecommunication mast and a residential building, as well as the distance from the road.”

Director of Legal Services of NESREA, Barrister Bola Odugbesan told journalists that efforts were made to” hold dialogue with the operator of the illegal mast, but there was no response from Globacom”.

The Agency was compelled in the interest of the environment and public safety to the relevant laws on the mast site.

The Director also said there was no going back on the enforcement of environmental laws, adding that the Agency presently has four court  cases in different parts of the country, while it has gone ahead to decommission many illegal masts .

According to Barrister Odugbesan, “ We will follow the law, we will apply the law, we will enforce the law!”.