Environment
MPs set to reject move to make water firms cut sewage discharges
MPs set to reject move to make water firms cut sewage discharges
The government is to reject calls to place a legal duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges into rivers.
MPs will debate the environmental bill on Wednesday in its final stages through parliament, and clean water campaigners want them to back what they say is a key amendment on sewage that was agreed in the House of Lords.
In 2020 raw sewage was discharged into waters more than 400,000 times over a total of more than 3.1 million hours. Sewage pollution is a key component of what MPs have heard is a chemical cocktail of pollutants going into rivers.
The bill will govern environmental policy ranging from rivers to waste to air now that the UK has left the EU. Surfers Against Sewage, part of a coalition of groups pushing for the amendment to be accepted on Wednesday, said it was crucial to ensure action to tackle sewage pollution started now.
But the environment secretary, George Eustice, has recommended MPs reject amendments to the bill.
Other amendments include strengthening the independence of a new watchdog, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), which will enforce laws on air, water and waste. Before Brexit these laws were policed by European courts, which prosecuted governments that breached them.
Ministers have said the OEP will be similarly independent, but the bill allows them powers to “advise” the new body.
Hugo Tagholm, of Surfers Against Sewage said: “In this most important of environmental decades, it’s shocking that the government is recommending that MPs reject progressive and ambitious amendments that would protect water, air and nature.
“Why wouldn’t they want water companies to have a legal obligation not to pollute our rivers and ocean with sewage, for example? It beggars belief and hardly shows a commitment to be the greenest government ever. It’s time for more ambitious thinking and law that builds protected nature back into public ownership rather than leaving it to the ravages of shareholder interests.”
The government has accepted an amendment extending powers to set charges for single-use items so it includes all materials, not just plastic, something Ruth Chambers of the Greener UK coalition said was welcome.
But Chambers said: “The decision to reject almost all of the improvements made in the Lords is hugely disappointing, particularly on the eve of Cop26. It seems the government is still determined to pass a bill that will see weaker domestic protections for people and nature, and particularly in the way that crucial environmental laws are upheld and enforced.”
A government spokesperson said: “Our landmark environment bill will transform how we protect our natural environment, make better use of our resources and clean up our air and water. We have listened very carefully and we’re now bringing forward changes which improve the bill and demonstrate our global leadership ahead of Cop26.”
Environment
NEMA begins 2024 flood impact assessment
The National Emergency Management Agency has commenced a unified rapid assessment of the 2024 flood impacts in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies, and development partners nationwide.
NEMA announced this on its official X handle on Wednesday.
The agency said the joint assessment aims to harmonise data collected by NEMA’s Emergency Operation Centre with information from partners to produce a nationally verified report on the disaster’s effects.
The Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said that the agency was working alongside SEMAs, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The assessment will evaluate the flood’s impacts on communities regarding shelter, livelihoods, food security, water sanitation and hygiene, and access to information and education,” the statement said.
Umar further said that in line with best practices, the assessment will also allow affected communities to provide input on how they can best be supported in their recovery efforts.
Environment
Nigerian government arrests three Chinese for illegal mining
The Federal Government has confirmed the arrest of three Chinese nationals and two Nigerians suspected of illegal mining in Nasarawa State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made the disclosure in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Monday in Abuja.
Alake said that the suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site located at Rafin-Gabas, Agwada, in Kokona Local Government Area.
He stated that the ministry’s mining marshals, established to secure mining sites across the nation, made the arrest in a recent operation following credible intelligence.
“The suspects were arrested for mining without lawful authorisation. Some of the minerals being mined include fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin.
“The arrested suspects confessed to having been on illicit activities at the site spanning five cadastral units since December 15, 2021.
The company defied all lawful advice to regularise their activities and continued syphoning the nation’s resources, causing significant revenue losses to the Federal Government,” he said.
According to the minister, more than 200 illegal miners have been arrested so far, and about 140 are undergoing prosecution across the country.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector, emphasising that the mining marshals would remain steadfast in ensuring a secure and safe environment for legitimate investors.
Environment
NiMet predicts 3-day haziness, sunshine from Sunday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMet has predicted haziness and sunshine from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Saturday, forecast moderate dust haze in the northern region on Sunday with horizontal visibility ranging from 2km to 5km.
The agency anticipated localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m during the forecast period.
“In the North central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected in the morning hours.
“Later in the afternoon/evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa States.
“In the southern region, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States during the morning hours,” the outlook read in part.
The agency envisaged thunderstorms with moderate rains over most places later in the day.
According to NiMet, moderate dust haze with a horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m are anticipated during the forecast period in the northern region on Monday.
The agency forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds in the morning hours in the North Central region.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Benue and Kogi States.
“Morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos States during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over most places.”
NiMet envisaged moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility ranging from 2km to 5km on Tuesday and localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000m during the forecast period in the northern region.
According to the report, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected throughout the forecast period in the central region.
The agency predicted morning thunderstorms with moderate rains over some parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, anticipating thunderstorms with moderate rains over most places later in the day.
“Dust particles are in suspension, the public should take necessary precautions.
“People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather conditions.
“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precautions,” the weather outlook stated.
NiMet urged the public to adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities, advising airline operators to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
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