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Tag: Pollution

  • Environmental Pollution: FG seals 39 industries in seven states

    Environmental Pollution: FG seals 39 industries in seven states

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed that it has sealed 39 industries in about seven states in the country for breaching environmental regulations in their various locations.

    The FG also added that it had launched an investigation into the mode of operation of the Chinese Miners in Osun state following complaints of environmental degradation, farmland destructions, and water sources by the Chinese miners.

    The government disclosed this through the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA adding that all culprits would be prosecuted.  The recently sealed companies were closed after flouting repeated warnings.

    This revelation was made known by the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, who briefed newsmen at a media parley in Abuja, explaining that every environmental offender will be prosecuted.

    “Just last week, the agency embarked on an enforcement drive which led to the sealing of 39 facilities in different parts of the country for failing to comply with extant environmental laws,” he stated.

    “The facilities had been given notices of compliance concerns in line with legal provisions but failed to abate their infractions against the environment.

    “These facilities will be penalized for their offenses and some will be prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction. The enforcement is an ongoing exercise and I assure Nigerians that no erring facility will be spared.

    “When we say facilities, we are talking about industries that carry out activities that impact on the environment. Most of them are production industries in the brown and green sectors.”

    The NESREA boss said the sealed companies included those in the poultry, power, pharmaceuticals, detergents, beverage making sectors, among others.

    “There are specific regulations for each of the sectors and we go out to see that the industries comply. So, some of the facilities that were sealed recently include 13 in Anambra, four in Borno, and three in Ondo.

    “Others include three in Ekiti, eight in Kano, three in Bayelsa, and six in Delta State.”

    He noted that recently, the agency had been inundated with several complaints about the resurgence of the activities of artisanal miners, raising fears of degradation of the environment, destruction of farmlands, and contamination of water sources, especially in the Osun River.

    “It is important to note that such mining activities are not new in the area because Osun State sits on a schist belt that is richly endowed with mineral resources like gold, tourmaline, tantalite, topaz, and other gemstones and which attracts the artisanal miners,” Jauro stated.

  • Stakeholders in critical meeting over Niger Delta pollution

    Stakeholders in critical meeting over Niger Delta pollution

    Critical stakeholders in the oil and gas sector rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja with far reaching resolutions to address the soot and environmental pollution caused by artisan refining activities in the Niger Delta.

    The meeting, which was convened by Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, called on the Federal Government to consider and approve the implementation of the report of the National Summit on Integration of Artisinal/Modular Refinery Operations into the oil refining programme of the sector.

    It also stressed the need for various organisations that have crude oil refining technology to interact with Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulations Authority to enable them make presentations on their technology.

    The forum further canvassed engagements with the bodies of artisanal refining representatives in order to review the current state of affairs and proffer solutions to the environmental and economic challenges in the region.

    The stakeholders also also suggested that further engagements be made with governors and governments of impacted states as well as subnational structures on tackling current challenges.

    The forum called for the review of the Petroleum Refining Regulations of 1974 and other relevant laws to accommodate the establishment of artisinal refineries.

    It also called for the establishment of a data base of those trained in related fields by the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

    Others to be included in the data base are those trained by the Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

    The forum suggested the possibility of funding the pilot scheme through the Central Bank, Petroleum Technology Development Fund and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board among others.

    It also canvassed the need to follow the road map for the implementation of the Artisanal Oil Refining Programme.

    The forum had representatives drawn from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as well as Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

    Others were from National Oil Spill Detection Detection and Response Agency, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

  • Lagos govt cautions nightclubs, bars against noise pollution

    Lagos govt cautions nightclubs, bars against noise pollution

    The Lagos State Government has sent a strict warning to nightclubs, bars, and lounges over noise pollution, with a threat to punish defaulters.

    This was made known in a Facebook post by Lagos official page on Sunday titled, “LASG reads riot act to nightclubs, bars over noise pollution”, which was based on a statement by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello.

    According to Bello, the government has carried out enforcement raids on some nightclubs, especially those in Lekki axis, following the never-ending complaints from residents of the area.

    The post partly read, “Reiterating that the exercise will be a continuous one, Bello advised all clubs that engage in noise pollution to retrace their steps before it is too late, maintaining that apart from putting such clubs or bars under lock and key, the owners of the relaxation points would also be prosecuted according to the dictates of the law.

    “He stated that no one or organisation would be treated as a sacred cow in the latest campaign, pointing out that research has also shown noise pollution as one of the causative factors for reduced lifespan.

    “Bello reaffirmed that the second pillar of the six-point Development Agenda of the present administration is Health and Environment, which includes combating noise pollution.”

     

  • UNILORIN don discovers use of eggshell to tackle pollution

    UNILORIN don discovers use of eggshell to tackle pollution

    Prof. Omodele Eletta of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, has discovered the use of eggshell, coconut shell, sawdust and croaker fish scales for the prevention of environmental pollution.

    Eletta disclosed this in her Inaugural Lecture entitled:” Bad yet good: Rummaging and Combatting for Future Water and Land Security”.

    The don, who lectures at the Faculty of Engineering, also listed pawpaw leaf, coconut shell and cocoa pod among agricultural wastes that could be used to combat environmental pollution.

    According to her, the exploitation of agro-waste could afford both a strategy for waste minimisation and a more sustainable production of energy and chemicals.

    The expert warned that environmental pollution was an unfavourable alteration of the environment, adding that it was a global problem and Nigeria has its fair share due to the lack of strict monitoring of people’s activities.

    According to Eletta, every farm activity, however, low leaves some wastes in the environment and these wastes end up in various sectors of the earth.

    She explained that different agricultural wastes have been optimised for use for waste water treatment prior to discharge to the environment.

    She observed that eggshell, which ordinary is a waste material, has beneficiation and thermal treatment, as it could be used as absorbent for the removal of heavy metal from the solution.

    The expert also disclosed that eggshell could be used as a bio-resource in a number of formulations.

    Similarly, the expert also disclosed that plant wastes have also been investigated for suitability for absorption process in the quest to extract value “good’ from the wastes of agricultural practices.

    “Sunflowers are plants that grow wild and widely in Nigeria. It is regarded as a weed, with the stem/stalk having little economic importance,” she said.

    Eletta stated that the Sunflower was used as a precursor for developing an absorbent for waste water treatment.

    She noted that the studies she carried out indicated that Sunflower stalk could be used to prepare low-cost absorbents for water treatment.

    The don advised government at all tiers that the utilisation and environmental protection initiative could help push an awareness campaign for sustainable future.

    “Non-compliance to environmental regulations has led to serious degradation of the environment in Nigeria.

    “It is recommended that realistic policies and legal structures must be put in place to harmonise government policies among industrial sectors and develop more holistic interventions and, not just peripheral actions,” she said.

  • National agency speaks on noise pollution by churches, mosques

    National agency speaks on noise pollution by churches, mosques

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says it has the power to prosecute for noise pollution, churches and mosques that use loud speakers without control while worshipping.

    Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of NESREA made this known while speaking on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to Jauro, noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants, adding that a noisy place affects plants, animals and humans.

    “Once they are subjected to the noise, it leads to a lot of health problems ranging from hypertension and other diseases. So, as an agency, we have a specific regulation on noise control.

    “What we do as an agency is that we go out to ensure compliance. There is a lot of activities people engage that affect the environment and individuals. We receive complaints from a lot of people.

    “For instance, places like churches, mosques, even industries are causing a lot of noise which we receive complaints from people, so we do visit such areas, sensitising them about the problem people are facing.

    “We also advise them on how they can go about their activities without polluting the environment by the noise. We carry out enforcement when the need arises,” he said.

    Jauro also called for effective sensitisation
    by relevant environmental stakeholders to curb environmental pollution in Nigeria.

    He said that the sensitisation would help the public to understand the havoc pollution was causing both to humans, animals, plants, as well as the environment.

    “Sensitisation is the key, people don’t even know the impact of this noise pollution so we always try to sensitise the public.

    “There is need to sensitise and educate the public on environmental issues so that everybody will key-in to support NESREA so that we will have a cleaner and healthier environment,” Jauro said.

    He also called on Nigerians to ensure they complied with environmental rules and regulations, adding that there should be a noise limit in worship centres, industries, and social gatherings, among others.

    Jauro said the agency had the mandate and power to prosecute any organisation or individual who refuses to abide by environmental rules and regulations.

    “All these provisions are there in our regulations, there is a provision for fine first, when we receive a complaint we go there and look at the complaint.

    “Then, we go back and serve another compliance notice. We will do that about two times, the third one, we can take either the facility or individual to the court of law.

    “But most of the time, we try to see that we resolve the matter amicably with those responsible.

    “We do make sure we resolve those disputes, but if they persist, yes, we can sanction the offenders, and also take them to court of law and some of them can be judged,’’ he said.

  • Reps Move to Reduce Nylon, Plastic Pollution

    Reps Move to Reduce Nylon, Plastic Pollution

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Environment to investigate the circumstances surrounding the non- implementation of plastic policy of the Federal Government with a view to ensuring the reduction of nylon and plastic pollution on the society.
    The House further urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to carry out a sustainable campaign on the dangers of nylon and plastic wastes and to as a matter of urgency initiate a programme for collection and recycling of plastic wastes across the country.
    These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to Curtail Nylon and Plastic Pollution” moved by Hon Chukwuka Umeoji (APGA, Anambra) on the floor of the House.
    Umeoji while debating the motion noted that over 15% of solid wastes generated in major cities across the country are from nylons and plastics
    He further noted that due to inadequate supply of drinking water in most homes, most households resort to sachet water thereby generating large volume of wastes.
    He expressed concerns that the burning of nylons and plastics wastes cause air pollution due to the release of poisonous gases into the air which jeopardize public health and deplete ozone layer.
    The lawmaker also noted and informed the House that organic wsst poses a lesser hazard to the environment due to it’s easy decomposition while organic wastes like nylon and plastics constitutes serious environmental hazards because it takes more than 30 years for them to decompose.
    Consequently, the House presided by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase put it to a voice vote and it was unanimously adopted the lawmkers.
    He thereafter mandated the Committee on Environment to investigate the matter and report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative actions.

  • PENGASSAN wants FG to address environmental pollution in Niger Delta

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Federal Government to curb the activities of illegal refineries and subsequent environmental pollution in Niger Delta region.

    Mr Fortune Obi, the National Public Relations Officer of the Association, made this call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that the activities of illegal refineries in Rivers and other states in the region had affected a lot of lives and environment due to inhalation of emissions from pollution.

    “I want to appeal to the Federal Government that the issue of environmental pollution taking place in Niger Delta area, is an issue that must be addressed urgently.

    “Government should implore all stakeholders, government agencies and security outfits to come to the aid of the people, they are dying gradually of the situation condition caused by illegal refineries.

    “One activity that is not being checked by the government, presently is illegal refinery activities that is causing the emission and people are inhaling it on a daily basis, we need the government to intervene urgently,’’ he said.

    He pointed out that lives of the peoples are precious, so, the government should curb the illegal activities in the area.

     

  • Exposure to diesel fume damages the heart

    Nigerians who drive diesel engine cars or use diesel engine generators to power homes and offices need to read this warning: diesel fume can damage the heart.

    Researchers at Queen Mary University in London said they have found significant evidence that particulate matter from diesel pollution can cause heart damage.

    “There is strong evidence that particulate matter [PM] emitted mainly from diesel road vehicles is associated with increased risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death,” Dr. Nay Aung, a cardiologist at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, said in a press release. “This appears to be driven by an inflammatory response — inhalation of fine particulate matter [PM2.5] causes localized inflammation of the lungs followed by a more systemic inflammation affecting the whole body.”

    PM2.5 causes systemic inflammation, vasoconstriction and raised blood pressure, which when combined puts increased pressure on the heart. The result is an enlarged heart to cope with the overload, which reduces the contractile efficiency leading to a reduction of function.

    The study was conducted on 4,255 participants with an average age of 62 from the UK Biobank, a large community-based cohort study.

    Cardiac MRI was used to measure left ventricular volume or structure and left ventricular ejection fraction or function in patients exposed to PM2.5.

    The PM2.5 exposure was calculated based on study participants’ home addresses.

    “We found that as PM2.5 exposure rises, the larger the heart gets and the worse it performs. Both of these measures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality from heart disease,” Aung said.

    The study found that people with degree-level education were less prone to having a larger heart and had a smaller reduction in ejection fraction when exposed to PM2.5 than those with lower levels of education.

    “People who were highly educated were less likely to have harmful effects on the heart from pollution,” Aung said. “This could be due to a number of factors including better housing and workplace conditions, which reduce pollution exposure. Educated people may also be more aware of their health, have healthier lifestyles, and have better access to healthcare.”

    The annual average PM2.5 level was 10 μg/m3. The investigators found linear relationships between ambient PM2.5 level and heart structure and function. Every 5 μg/m3 increase in exposure was associated with a 4 to 8 percent increase in left ventricular volume and a 2 percent decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction.

    “We found that the average exposure to PM2.5 in the UK is about 10 μg/m3 in our study,” Aung said. “This is way below the European target of less than 25 μg/m3 and yet we are still seeing these harmful effects. This suggests that the current target level is not safe and should be lowered. Our results suggest that PM2.5 is linked with negative changes in the heart structure and function that are associated with poor outcomes. Reducing PM2.5 emission should be an urgent public health priority and the worst offenders such as diesel vehicles should be addressed with policy measures.”

    The study was presented at EuroCMR 2017.1.