ThisDay Newspapers

A World Bank research conducted about two years ago revealed that Nigeria loses about $2.5 billion annually to gas flare. Despite this huge economic loss, oil corporations operating in the country have been shifting the goal post for the deadline on gas flaring. However, environmental activists have urged the Federal Government not to extend the deadline beyond January 1, 2008. Godwin Haruna writes In Iwerekhan community in Ughelli local government council of Delta State, growing food crops remains a very difficult task for the inhabitants, who are mostly farmers. The other occupation that sustained their forebears besides farming, is fishing, but this too, is gone. With their major means of livelihood gone, the community also suffers from routine hardship brought on them by the loss of their shelter when the corrugated iron sheets mostly used on their roofs is worn out by the effects of harsh environment. The community also contends with strange ailments, which have made life rough and meaningless. According to the community leaders spoken to by THISDAY in March this year, their current problems were all brought on them by oil exploration activities with its concomitant gas flares and pollution of the land.

Vanguard Newspapers

LAGOS—The Lagos State Government and  Environmental Rights Action (ERA) have filed an action at the Lagos State High Court against several big tobacco companies seeking extensive reliefs that intend to regulate tobacco smoking especially as it affects youth and under-aged smokers.

The claimants also sought  special, general, punitive and anticipatory damages in the sum of $21,617,605, 885.17 (N2,702,200,735,647.17) from the Defendants.

Nigerian Guardian Newpapers

Gbolahan Gbadamosi, Deputy Judicial Editor
LAGOS State government and a non-governmental organisation, Environmental Rights Action (ERA) yesterday began before a Lagos High Court a N2.7 trillion compensation suit against British -American Tobacco (BAT)(Nigeria) Limited, International Tobacco Limited and four others for health hazards resulting from cigarette smokers in the state.

The suit, endorsed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) also named British-American Plc, British-American Tobacco (Investment) Limited, Phillip Morris International and The Tobacco Institute as defendants.

ThisDay Newpaper article

The rationale for conducting environmental impact assessment is to enable stake-holders, particularly decision-makers, to consider cost-benefit analysis of locating a project in an area. Since development is a must and environmental protection is equally a necessity, how do we maintain the balance?

This is at the crux of a training for community leaders by an in Warri, recently.