2014 World Environment Day: Beyond lip service
This year, WED has decided to adopt “Small Island Developing States and climate change”(SIDS) in the broader context of climate change as its theme to support the Undesignation of 2014 as the International Year of SIDS. The objective is to encourage a greater understanding of the importance of SIDS and of the urgency to help […]
This year, WED has decided to adopt “Small Island Developing States and climate change”(SIDS) in the broader context of climate change as its theme to support the Undesignation of 2014 as the International Year of SIDS. The objective is to encourage a greater understanding of the importance of SIDS and of the urgency to help protect the islands in the face of growing risks and vulnerabilities, particularly as a result of climate charge. UNEP has also come out with the slogan: “Raise your voice, not the Sea Level,” to promote the theme.
Nigeria has been celebrating the Day for some time now but this year we shall be looking back to see how the sector had fared, what have we done or failed to do more, especially have we kept the promise of tendering for the environment?
We begin by taking a curious look at the catalogue of environmental issues pending over the last few years.
Ogoni UNEP report:
It is now three years since the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conducted an independent assessment of the environment and public health impacts of oil contamination in Ogoniland, in the Niger Delta. The Programme recommended some sets of solutions including those of short, medium and long term but government only constituted a committee to look at the UNEP report and nothing else has been done.
2012 flood funds:
Following the unprecedented rain fall of 2012 that led to the flooding in many parts of the country and displaced millions of Nigeria, rendered many others homeless and properties worth billions of naira were also destroyed, victims of the flood disaster are still yet to get numerous promises of assistance made to them by government, organisations and individuals.
More annoying is the fact that, out of the 17 billion raised by the Dangote committee to rehabilitate the victims, nothing has reached the victims.
Absence of sustainable forestry management:
Recently, the Forestry Association of Nigeria released a catalogue of challenges facing the nation’s forest sector. Chief among the challenges was the fact that between 1900 and 1999, the nation has witnessed a continuous decline in its forest coverage.
“Progressively, the forest cover of the country has dwindled, in spite of some modest efforts at plantation establishment by both private and public concern. The northern part of the country are gradually being laid bare of vegetal cover while the lowland rainforest zone of the south can now be described as relics and bushes,” Prof. Labode Popoola, President of FAN said.
Biodiversity on the threat of extinction:
The nation’s biodiversity are facing various threats ranging from developments to oil spill and construction and there is still no concrete policy in place to protect them.
Currently, conservationists at the nation’s National Park are of the view that only 46 lions that are indigenous are all that is left while vultures and other animals have mostly disappeared from most parts of the country.
Phasing out of polythene bags:
Exactly one year ago, during the celebration of the 2013 WED, Mrs Hadiza Mailafiya, a former minister of environment, said that all was set for the phasing out of polythene bags.
It is one year since that pronouncement was made and polythene still litter every nooks and cranny of the country, constituting environmental nuisance.
Establishment of modern waste management system:
Few years ago, the ministry of environment started some pilot project on modern waste management system and this pilot projects which has now become a permanent feature in successive budgets of the ministry, has not brought about the efficient system needed to address waste in the country.
Environmental impact assessment implementation:
Recently, the media was awash with news of the second Niger Bridge not having an EIA. The way various organisations, including ministries associated with the project reacted, brought to the fore the need to ensure strict implementation of the EIA regime. Efforts are on currently to review the existing EIA but suffice to say most government projects have failed to incorporate the EIA at the beginning and only added later as an afterthought.
Great Green Wall:
After investing much in 2013 into the project, little was achieved due to late release of funds for the implementation of the various components of the project which is supposed to bring succour to the 11 frontline Northern states.
The rain has started and the opportunity to plant is here but will government take advantage of the rains and plant the necessary trees on time? We wait to see.
Mrs Laurentia Mallam:
Mallam is the current minister of environment and would, hopefully, spend the one year supervising over issues of environment, especially erosion, landslide and mudslide which cut across states in the south-east and made life unbearable for citizens. As the rain fall intensify, more lives are been threatened by these environmental menace. Therefore, time is now for the ministry to take a closer look and articulate policies or programmes that would once and for all address them.
She has started a campaign tagged: “No environment, No life,” to call attention to issues of environment in the country but this campaign would have more impact and touch more lives if we continue to raise our voices for the environment and not activities that will lead to sea level rise.
As the theme for this year’s WED celebration: “Raise your voice not sea level,” has rightly pointed out, enough of lip service by government on issues of environment, we want action, so let us walk the talk.