Environmental Degradation: Sanwo-Olu Seals Mile 12, Owode Onirin Markets

Lagos State government has sealed the Mile 12 International Market and the Owode Onirin Market on Friday for creating environmental malfeasance. The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources stated in Ikeja, that the markets were sealed because of indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, the filthy environment, and blocked drains. It stated that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, directed the Lagos Waste Management Agency and “KAI’’ to seal the markets. “The reasons for sealing the markets are not unconnected with the indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse, filthy environment, blocked and littered drains. “The action also followed illegal and indiscriminate parking and abandonment of trucks on the highway leading to the two markets, impeding free flow of traffic,’’ the ministry stated. 

Group slams military for burning vessels with stolen crude

*Says action destroys the ecosystem The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has decried the burning and destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil, describing it as a worrisome and environmentally unfriendly way of curbing oil theft. ERA/FoEN’s Executive Director, Barr. Chima Williams, in a statement signed by Communication Officer, Elvira Jordan, recently stated that the burning of crude oil-laden vessels disposes a high level of chemical content into the water bodies that destroys eco lives and aquatic organisms that humans need to survive.  “Destroying such vessels with their crude contents produces high-level chemical debris that follows tidal movement to other parts of the country. This kind of devastation destroys the aquatic organisms needed to satisfy man’s nutritional and survival needs. “What is discharged includes chemical contents from the crude and the vessels that are harmful to human health. The health implications of such activities may not have immediate effects but will be transferred to the people who inhabit these areas, as the primary occupation of the Riverine people is fishing and farming, which is dependent on the surrounding waters,” he said. He added that the destruction of crude oil laden vessels will also deprive the people of their sources of livelihood, when the chemical waste from the burnt vessels and crude oil comes in contact with the environment, killing aquatic life and poisoning the surrounding soil. The Executive Director stated that destroying and wasting stolen crude, is a disfavor to Nigeria’s economy noting that the product will generate funds that will build infrastructures and better the lives of the people. He said, “Destroying badges of crude that runs into millions is equivalent to denying the nation and its people of the revenue that can be derived from such large amounts of crude. This is a country in dire need of resources to rebuild the economy, to build infrastructures and to better the lives of the people. The country is in heavy dept, yet we are destroying sources of enhancing our economy. The burnt vessels can be transformed into other uses like enhancing the work of seafarers in the country.” On the legal implications, Williams explained that destroying the evidence would not make for the proper prosecution of the case. He stressed that such actions wipe away the key principles of the rule of law, as the chances of conviction or proper acquittal are no longer visible. According to him, this is a denial of justice to the nation, the individuals involved, and the victims of their negative operational conduct and activities. He called on military and security operatives to put an end to the burning of crude oil-laden vessels, as it goes against every tenet of environmental protection and environmental health.

Global gas flaring detrimental to health, environment, IEA warns

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a stark warning about the harmful effects of worldwide gas flaring, which releases approximately 140 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually. This process contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, methane, and black soot, posing severe health and environmental risks. In its report titled ‘Tracking Flaring Emissions,’ the IEA highlighted a slight reduction in global gas flaring volume for 2022, down by about 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 139 bcm, marking a roughly 3% decrease. Surprisingly, the volumes of natural gas flared in 2022 were comparable to levels observed in 2010. The report underscored that gas flaring led to the emission of approximately 500 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in greenhouse gases during 2022. Moreover, nearly 70% of flared gas is directed to flares that operate almost continuously. In the context of the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) Scenario, the IEA projected that all non-emergency flaring would be eradicated globally by 2030. This ambitious target would result in a remarkable 95% reduction in flared volumes, thereby preventing the release of 365 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions. The IEA emphasized the dire consequences of non-emergency flaring and venting, processes that are even more environmentally damaging than flaring. These practices occur when operators opt to burn associated gas continually or semi-permanently during production or release it into the atmosphere. The IEA estimated that the average global combustion efficiency, considering both active and extinguished flares, is roughly 92%, leading to the substantial release of potent greenhouse gases like methane, black soot, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Highlighting potential solutions, the report indicated that oil producers possess a range of readily available options to reduce and eliminate flaring. Additionally, various new technologies are under development to address this pressing concern.