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Environment

FG Reiterates Commitments To GLobaL Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Ahead Of COP26

COP26

FG REITERATES COMMITMENTS TO GLOBAL NET-ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS AHEAD OF COP26 SUMMIT, PARLEYS STAKEHOLDERS IN LONDON

In its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Federal Government is already making efforts to use large shares of clean energy sources, but “limiting the development of gas projects, poses dire challenges.”

This is why the international community should understand that the plan to defund gas projects in the run up to the global Net-Zero emissions target would be unhelpful to developing countries like Nigeria.

This was the crux of the presentations Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, made on Friday at different meetings in London at the High-Level United Nations event on the Energy Transition plan in Africa with special focus on Nigeria.

According to a press release by Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President, the meetings included first, a closed-door session with COP26 President-Designate, Mr Alok Sharma, a cabinet rank British Minister and the Chair of the UK Government’s COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC) at Whitehall. Then an interaction with the academic community at Imperial College followed by meetings of the Global Energy Alliance and presentations on the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan and Nigeria’s Integrated Energy Plan.

Prof. Osinbajo observed at Imperial College that Africa as a continent is home to the world’s youngest fastest growing population and in order to create jobs and enable climate-smart industrialization, “the scale and quality of electricity services must increase significantly.”

Continuing, the VP noted that the scaling up in the Nigerian context is based on clean energy, a reflection of the FG’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

He said this “means building sustainability into our economic planning, and so our Economic Sustainability Plan, includes a plan to provide 5 million homes with cleaner energy through its decentralized solar power programme. This means an estimated 25 million Nigerians would have access to solar power.

“The first phase of this plan is already underway, and we think that this sort of programme will very quickly ramp up our progress towards net-zero emissions.”

But he explained that the moves to defund gas projects wouldn’t help the “whole enterprise,” which “requires gas, especially if we are putting it on the grid. We want to be able to put renewable energy on the grid, we need power for industry, and of course, we are looking at the significant cost of that.”

According to him, “limiting the development of gas projects, poses dire challenges for African nations, while making an insignificant dent in global emissions. Energy demand in Nigeria and across Africa is set to rise, as indeed it must, to deliver the industrialization, jobs and economy-wide progress people deserve.”

In addition, the VP explained that “the energy access element of the transition must be linked with the emission reduction aspect of the transition. For too long we have considered these to be parallel tracks. However, pathways to reaching net-zero by 2050 have to include first ending energy poverty by 2030.

“If energy access issues are left unaddressed, we will continue to see growing energy demand being addressed with high polluting and deforesting fuels such as diesel, kerosene and firewood.”

On current energy consumption patterns globally, Prof. Osinbajo noted that “energy consumption in developing countries has doubled in the last 15 years, and is expected to grow another 30% in the next fifteen years. So making capital available to fulfil the growing energy demand in these regions of the world is central to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

He highlighted the disparity in global energy investments, noting that “while representing just 15% of the world’s population, high income countries received 40% of global energy investment in 2018. Conversely, developing countries with 40% of the world’s population received just 15% of global energy investments.”

The Vice President said “Nigeria has already made a commitment to have 30 percent of our electricity supply from renewables by 2030. Also natural gas is currently used for industry, fertilizer manufacturing, and cooking – which are more difficult to transition than power generation.”

He affirmed that Nigeria is “resolutely committed to all of our national determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, and we have in fact updated our commitments in our new Energy Transition Plan. So for baseline business as usual (BAU) projections, estimated BAU 2030 emissions are now at 453 MTCO2e (metric tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent), increasing 31 percent from a 2018 baseline of 347 MTCO2e.

“We are committed to the process and strongly believe the process has to be strong, fair, just and supported not just for Nigeria, but for most African countries and for many developing countries who have the same concerns that we have,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

Speaking about the expectations of Nigeria and other developing countries, the VP noted that “the ultimate goal of the global energy transition should be to achieve reliable net-zero-energy systems to power prosperous, inclusive economies.”

His words: “efforts are already underway in my country, and in countries across the continent, to include large shares of clean energy sources to fuel that growth. Renewables are the fastest-growing segment of energy today and will certainly be a key economic driver well into the future.

The VP then disclosed that Nigeria is about the first African country that has developed an energy transition plan that seeks to demonstrate its commitment to the global net -zero emissions.

Such a plan for COP26, according to Prof. Osinbajo “must be equitable, inclusive and just with a planet and people approach to the transition. As a practical matter that means transition plans that take into account the different realities of various economies and accommodate various pathways to net-zero by 2050.”

Prior to the engagement with the Imperial College students, the Vice President had met the President-Designate of COP26, Mr. Sharma, who is also the Chair of the UK Government’s COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC).

The discussions were around issues regarding the 2050 global Net-Zero emissions target and the need for the international community to align on the key elements of a just and equitable transition for all.

Other dignitaries that accompanied the VP to the meetings and engagements were Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Ambassador Adeyemi Dipeolu; Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sustainable Energy for All (SE forAll), Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, among others.

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Environment

We Are Providing Immediate Solution To Isheri Flooding – Ministers

L-R: Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Minister of State, Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako and the Olofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade, during the visit of the two ministers to the flooded area in Isheri, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday.

The Federal Government on Wednesday assured residents of flood-prone areas, particularly the Isheri North community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State of quick and permanent solution to the perennial menace of flooding in the corridor.

This assurance was given by the Minister of State, Environment; Dr Isiaq Salako who was in the company of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.

The Ministers were led to the areas by Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the Onisheri of Isheri, Oba Sulaiman Bamgbade, during an on the spot assessment of the community which has been ravaged by floods in the past days, occasioned by the release of water from Oyan Dam.

Dr Salako, noted that the flood problem facing the community is multifaceted and must be tackled from many angles, adding that the role and habits of the people, as regards the protection of the environment must be critically çonsidered.

The Minister promised that with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun, a permanent solution would be found to the problem.

According to him, the President fully understands what the problems are and the Governor has also been very proactive in addressing them.

The minister, while adding that a comprehensive study must be embarked upon to find a lasting solution to the problem, said that there was a need for the expansion of drainages and lifting of roads in the area.

“For us to be able to permanently solve this problem, we must undertake a comprehensive study so that we understand fully what needs to be done in a way that will permanently bring forward a solution.

“Therefore from the perspective of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the first thing we are going to do is to immediately commission a comprehensive study of this place so that we fully understand what we need to do, what we need to do with Ogun River and I am sure my brother, the Minister for Water Resources will also support us with what we need to do with the dams.

“We also need to know how to ensure we expand our drainages and lift our roads and then also our people to change their habits and be more environmentally responsible,” he said.

Salako also disclosed that the effect of climate change cannot be reversed but can be slowed down if adapted to, charging the people and the state to ensure their water channels are properly cleared and their waste disposed properly.

In his remarks, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev disclosed that the Federal Government has set up a committee that is working extensively on flood challenges across the country.

He assured the people that the Federal Government is leaving no stone unturned to find a lasting solution to the problem.

He said: “The Federal Government has set up a committee that is working entirely on the flood challenges of Nigeria.

“We are providing solutions to flooding in the country, not only in Ogun State. We have gone to other states and we have visited Ogun State now and we have seen what has happened. We believe that by the grace of God, the solution has come.

“I want to assure the people of Ogun State and the Lagos people residing within the terrain that we are leaving no stone unturned to try to see how we can proffer solutions to this problem.”

Responding, Governor Abiodun, while commending President Bola Tinubu for his response to the plight of the flood victims, also disclosed that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would visit the state in the next few days.

The governor also thanked the Redeemed Christian Church of God and NASFAT for making available their premises to serve as centres for some of the displaced residents.

Abiodun also affirmed that some buildings built on channels would give way, adding that the drainage problems would also be sorted.

“In the cause of our moving around, we saw some buildings that were built on a channel. Channel that is meant to channelize the Ogun River into the lagoon, such buildings will not stand.

“For us to have a permanent solution, we must appreciate the fact that there will be some pain. I know the minister may not want to tell you, but as your Governor, I can tell you that we are going to immediately embark on how to increase the level of the arterial roads.

“We will also sort the drainages. Water in the drainages is stagnant; they are not flowing anywhere. So, some buildings may have to give way so that the drainages can become outfalls where water falls into,” he said.

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Environment

Abiodun declares state of emergency on flooded Isheri community

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun with state officials on a tour of the flooded Isheri community

…assures residents of permanent solution after comprehensive assessment

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community, in Ifo Local Government Area of the State, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation.

The governor added that a comprehensive assessment that would lead to permanent solution to the menace of flooding in the affected area would be conducted very soon.

Prince Abiodun, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the flooded community, said that his administration is working with the federal government to deal with the situation as an emergency case.

He noted that the time has come to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding to make the area morw conducive for living.

According to him, the state government will see to the elevation of some roads in the area as parts of the solutions to the problem.

The govenor said: “We will prioritize the works here because I am touched with what I have seen. I will ensure that we immediately begin to see signs of relief as we are stepping this up. The Minister of State for Environment is already aware. The Vice President is already aware and also the president. It will be dealt with as an emergency and we are taking it as such.

“As an emergency, I will like to take it up myself. Please continue to bear with us as we are going to conduct a comprehensive assessment of what we need to do to make this place conducive for living.

“Whatever that assessment comes up with is what we are going to implement. So, we are going to first start with ensuring that we have the required road infrastructure at the appropriate levels.

“So if you now built in such a way that we need to relocate you, we have to do that. Whatever it is that we must do to ensure that place does not persistently experience flood, we will do it. But let us wait for the result of the studies to come back and then we will begin to take that decision as and when the situation arises.”

Addressing residents of Riverview Estate, Governor Abiodun said he has requested for an area survey of the entire estate to identify critical areas that needed immediately intervention.

He assured that the intervention would come through the construction of an elevated road with adequate drainages to mitigate their suffering.

“I want to assure you today, knowing fully well that we are a promise keeping administration, we do not say what we do not mean, my heart goes out to you, it is very unfortunate, I am giving my commitment today, the commissioner for works will come and see what needs to be done.

“We have also engage the Minister of State for the Environment, who fortunately, is from Ogun State and I have already brought this to his attention.

“Before the end of the week, I will also table it before the Vice President and the President as well so that we ensure that this problem gets all the desired attention and consequently gets the desired solution so we can bring this to an end,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that he and the Minister of Water Resources would visit the community in few days time.

“We will also discuss the issue of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and try and interrogate the activities there and understand how their activities affect this community and other communities with respect to the opening and closing of the dam,” he said.

The governor described the environment around the Kara cattle market as an eyesore and not befitting the dreams of a “new Ogun State”.

He said that the market was not conducive for human living and not in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and waste disposal.

He, however, acknowledged the area as one of the biggest commercial operation that provide services to a large number of people, even as he assured that government would go into a satisfactory agreement with the market men and women after which a comprehensive beautification of the area would take place.

The Chairman, Riverview Estate, Abayomi Akande, in his remarks, intimated the governor of the suffering residents of the area are going through as a result of the flooding.

He said that there is a need for a panel of inquiry into the operations of Oyan Dam to stop incessant release of water to cause havoc in the State

He applauded the governor for sending miscreants packing from the road, saying residents of the axis have suffered robbery attacks and other criminalities for quite awhile.

Akande urged the state government to think of converting the area into a Government Residential Area (GRA) through Public Private Partnership arrangement to fast track its development.

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Environment

NiMET Predicts States To Expect 3-day Dust Haze, Cloudiness

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and cloudiness from Wednesday to Friday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja predicted dust haze on Wednesday over the northern region with a visibility range of 2km to 5Km, especially in a few states like Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa during the forecast period.

The agency said that sunny spells with few patches of clouds were anticipated over the North Central during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, a hazy atmosphere with few patches of cloud is expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Benue states.

“The atmosphere over the southern parts of the country should be cloudy with intervals of sunshine, while morning thunderstorms are anticipated over Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Edo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states,” it said.

The agency envisaged dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Thursday.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central in the morning hours.

“Hazy atmosphere with few patches of clouds are expected over parts of Kwara, Plateau and Kogi states. There are prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Benue states in the afternoon and evening hours.

The atmosphere over the southern parts of the country should be cloudy with spells of sunshine. However, we expect morning thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

”Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Anambra, Imo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states,” it said.

The agency forecasted dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Friday.

NiMet said that sunny skies with few patches of clouds were anticipated over the North Central during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, to be cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Lagos, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states,” it said.

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