Metro

Niger/Adamawa boats mishap: NIWA MD mourns, condole victims’ families

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2023

Niger/Adamawa boats mishap: NIWA MD mourns, condoles victims” families

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu, has expressed immense grief over Adamawa and Niger States’ boats mishaps that left several persons dead on Friday and Sunday.

Moghalu, in a statement issued in Lokoja on Tuesday, described the two incidents as “very unfortunate” and “saddened”, considering the precious lives lost.

In Lokoja that while 15 persons died in the capsized boat carrying 23 people in Njuwa Lake in Yola South Local Government of Adamawa, reportedly killed 15 people, while 26 died and 44 persons are still missing in a river in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger.

The Adamawa accident reportedly occurred in the afternoon of Friday (Sept. 8) when the victims were travelling to Yola town.

The boat mishap in Niger sadly occurred at about 8 a.m. of Sunday (Sept. 10) between the Jabba and Kainji dams.

The managing diredctor said, “no doubt what happened at Gurin River, a surburb of Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa State, as well as at a river in Gbajibo, Mokwa, of Niger state was very unfortunate and saddened”.

“On behalf of management and Staff of NIWA, I am extending our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the dead and the injured.

“The incidents are more disheartening as some of the victims on board were reportedly heading to their farms for farming activities.

“I hereby wish to commend the life-saving work of the first rescuers, local divers and police marine at the scenes of the two incidences.”

Moghalu prayed for the wounded for a speedy recovery and success on the search and rescue of some missing passengers on the capsized boats.

The NIWA boss, however, reiterated call on transporters to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the nation’s waterways to avert such unwanted losses, pains and sorrow.

He emphasised on the need for the people in the riverine communities traveling by boats and canoes to use live jackets and avoid overcrowded boats to stay alive.

Besides, he advised against using old or rickety boats and night travels to prevent such mishaps.

The NIWA boss, however, prayed the Almighty God to comfort the grieving relations of the dead at this very difficult time.

Headline

Stakeholders appeal for justice in Ogoniland

Published

1 day ago

September 24, 2023

Desmond Ukafor

Stakeholders in the environment sector on Sunday in Abuja appealed for justice in Ogoniland to alleviate the plight of the people of the area.

Mr Michael David, the Executive Secretary of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), an NGO said this at a workshop on Strengthening Capacity for Afrika Vuka Volunteers in Nigeria.

This is a build up to power up global day of action #PowerUpOgoni.

The Power up for Climate Solutions action would take place by Nov. 2 to Nov. 4.

“We are to promote the injustices happening in Ogoniland. I have been there, I can feel what the people of Ogoniland are passing through.

“Their water and farmlands are covered with oil, it is very sad. This should not be happening.

“I’m not sure we can proclaim the land in Ogoni, the level of pollution is indescribable,” David said.

He assured that the actions revealing the injustices in Ogoniland would be carried out in Ogoni and Abuja.

“We want to call the world’s attention to what is happening in Ogoniland.
They can’t farm, fish or drink clean and safe water,” David said.

He said that Karen community in Ogoniland never knew what electricity is like since existence.

“We shall carry out the action in Karen community in Ogoniland where we shall provide street lights for the market women only.

“We want to do a massive photo exhibition in Abuja of all the injustices in Ogoniland from 2018 till Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) came into inception.

“Vuka is a Zulu word from South Africa and it means rise up or in Swahili it means awaken so the 350Africa.org came up with this campaign to say Africa wake up. We also intend to have a group tagged Nigeria wake up,” David said.

He appealed to stakeholders that are into climate advocacy to partner to fight against climate injustices in the country and also appealed for increased budgetary provisions for key agencies in the fight against climate injustices.

NAN reports that 350Africa.org is a group campaigning against fossil fuels, and the promotion of renewable energy and has also been in partnership with GIFSEP to build up global day of action #PowerUpOgoni.

Rukiya Khamis, a representative from 350Africa.org said that the group is a platform for climate advocacy and justice and urged stakeholders to take the message #PowerUpOgoni across the world.

Khamis said that the group uses grassroots organising to run locally-driven campaigns in every corner of the globe.

“The climate crisis is about power — but not just the kind of power that keeps the lights on.

“We believe that the only way we’ll see meaningful action on climate change is if we can counter the power of the fossil fuel industry with the power of people taking collective action.

“We use online tools to connect that power, help those people see themselves as one movement, and to facilitate public actions,” she said.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIJ/ORO
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Edited by Razak Owolabi

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Headline

LASTMA, others combat Ilupeju industrial fire outbreak

Published

2 days ago

September 23, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders at early hour on Saturday combated an industrial fire outbreak at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass.

Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

Adebayo stated that the industrial fire outbreak took place at Mega Plastics Company at No.4, Ilupeju Bypass beside Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ilupeju area of Lagos.

“The Traffic Officer of LASTMA, Mr Ayo Olaosebikan (Falcon) of Zone 21, confirmed that LASTMA rescue team arrived at the scene of the industrial fire outbreak around at 6:30a.m. before other emergency responders were contacted by LASTMA.

“Immediately we arrived at the scene of the industrial fire, we quickly informed other emergency responders particularly the Lagos State Fire, Rescue Services and the Nigerian Police.

“The causes of industrial fire could not be immediately ascertained, he said.
Olaosebikan noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the storage and factory section of the petrochemical company were seriously affected by the fire outbreak.

According to him, emergency responders on ground include Federal and State Fire Services, policemen and LASTMA Response Unit.

Olaosebikan said that neither injury nor death had been recorded.