MITIGATING AGAINST WINDSTORM DISASTERS

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

A storm has been scientifically described as any disturbed state of an astronomical body’s atmosphere affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. Storm may be marked by strong wind, hail, thunderstorm, rainstorm, strong winds, or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere as in a dust storm, blizzard, and sandstorm.

Windstorm in this case opens the door for massive amounts of water and debris that cause further damage to a structure which result to negative impacts to lives and property, such as storm surge, heavy rain causing flooding or road impassibility, building devastation.  In excess of unpleasant situation of this nature, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently issued a fresh warning alert against predicted windstorms in Niger Delta and Kwara.

The occurrence of windstorm always lead to unpalatable consequences, especially to automobiles, aircraft, skylights, glass-roofed structures, livestock, and most commonly, farmers’ crops including wheat, corn, soybeans, and tobacco. For instance, hailstone is one of the most significant thunderstorm hazards to aircraft when exceed 0.5 inches (13 mm) in diameter, may damage planes within seconds; just as hailstones accumulating on the ground could be hazardous to landing aircraft.

Over the years, windstorm has posed deadly disasters to man and his environment across the globe. It has been observed that between 1964 and 1985 windstorm has contributed to no fewer than 26 major civil transport aircraft accidents in the United States leading to 620 deaths and 200 injuries; overt 500 homes were devastated by windstorm in Abi and Ogoja and Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River in August, 2009; while Lagos windstorm had claimed no fewer than 15 lives and millions of property was destroyed in February 2012. 

As a result of these socio-economic damages so far, NEMA in collaboration with the National Meteorological Agency have proven a number of strategies to help mitigating the hazards of windstorm. Individuals are therefore advised to evaluate their building structure and ensure it is protected by strong building codes and enforcement. This range from re-nailing removing roof weaken walls to prevent roof from blowing off, should the wind get under the roof panels and attempt to lift the roof; install all shingles which can be damaged by high winds; and make sure the sheathing complies with current recommended practices if putting on new roof.

Secured at both the top of the door frame and the floor using sturdy sliding bolts in your home, as the exterior walls, doors, and windows are the protective shells of your home; while damage to the shell during a wind storm can pave way for high winds to enter the home and put pressure on the roof and walls, causing serious damage. Use strong doors made with bolt kits that can withstand high winds in your home.

Properly secure the garage door fails, winds can enter your home and blow out doors, windows, walls, and the roof; and consult your local home improvement specialist for guidance. Provide a concrete foundation of your building; and make sure it is anchored by certified building practitioners. Individuals are warned against the use of inferior materials in building construction, and to always construct all new buildings with adequate bracing and materials of adequate strength and rigidity to provide for proper wind and snow load. 

Regular homeowners are advisable to insure their property against windstorm; and this therefore requires a separate premium and deductible. Meanwhile, windstorm insurance requires separate classifications of wind damage in order for the policy to cover damage with annual review of home insurance coverage. Make sure you know what is covered and what is not. Contact your insurance carrier when considering remodeling, additions to existing buildings or new construction

There is a need for more technical support and adequate facilities toward the National Emegency Managements to help improve the understanding of climate processes for determining the predictability of climate, including its variability and change to identify the extent of human influence on climate; and foster the effective application of climate knowledge and information for the benefit of our nation.

Adequate information and enlightenment on a predicted windstorm is very vital. In this case, weather forecasts and warnings are the most important services provided by the meteorological profession used by government and industry to protect life and property and to improve the efficiency of operations, and by individuals to plan a wide range of daily activities. Also, comprehensive meteorological report must be made available in local dialects to sensitise individuals and circulating reports on windstorm to wider audience, especially at rural communities. 

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of the NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Causes and preventions against Windstorm Hazards

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

 

CAUSES OF WINDSTORM HAZARDS

1. Natural phenomena such as air that is being pushed by high pressure toward low pressure.

2. Lack of familiarity with safety rules of storms.

3. Inadequate information technology equipment in the prediction and mitigation against windstorm.

4. Individual ethno-cultural believe about windstorm.

5. Individual reaction towards the occurrence of windstorm.

6. Innocent and illiteracy.

7. Individual attitude towards his environment.

8. Wrong forecast in part of metrological reports.

9. Ethno-linguistic barriers associated with decoding metrological reports in local dialects. 

10. Technical jargons used in weather reports.

 

PREVENTIONS AGAINST WINDSTORM HAZARDS

1. Understand the metrological background of the area where you live or are visiting.

2. Get familiar with the safety rules for those storms.

3. Follow the regular windstorms alert issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

4. Listen to regular weather reports on a special weather radio.

5. Follow regular weather reports and storm watches and warnings from the National Metrological Agency.

6. Develop a proactive safety strategy against the occurrence of windstorms.

7. Do not drive your car onto a flooded road, even if the water looks shallow.

8. Stop all outdoor activities and get into a sturdy building in occurrence windstorm.

9. Avoid taking shelter under trees or in an open picnic shelter.

10. A vehicle with a metal roof is a safe place if you roll up the windows.

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

MITIGATING THE HAZARDS OF LAKE NYOS’S COLLAPSE

ABUBAKAR JIMOH

Recently, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has draw the public attention to the imminent collapse of the Lake Nyos by 2015 as anticipated by the Agency; and this would pose a negative socio-economic effects to some states in Nigeria including Benue, Taraba, Katsina, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi and Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom states in the event of the eruption.

From geological positions, Lake Nyos is located in western Cameroon, adjacent to Nigeria, in the elbow region of West Africa. It lies close to the axis of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, which extends for nearly 1500km from the gulf of Guinea Islands through southwestern Cameroon and into northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon.

Hitherto, the emission of Carbon dioxide from Lake Nyos in August 1986 had claimed 1,800 victims; while a lethal gas burst originated from the neighbouring lake Monoun, in the same remote area of Cameroon had killed 37 people in 1984.

Both lakes occupy the crater of a supposedly extinct volcano, in a region known by geologists for its numerous gaseous water springs, a common feature of old volcanic areas. In both cases, without prior notice, a cloud of dense gas erupted from the lake, covering the surroundings under a deadly blanket several tens of meters thick, decorating the skins of the victims with burns. The fact that both disasters occurred at night had added to the mystery of these dreadful natural catastrophes.

As confirmed by NEMA from the past accounts, the physics and chemistry of lakes Nyos and Monoun has revealed that both lakes still contain huge amounts of carbon dioxide (10 million m3 and 300 million m3 in Monoun and Nyos, respectively) and that this gas is being added at such a rate that saturation could be reached within years in the deep layers of the lakes. This may result to the collapse of the Lake Nyos which is also a volcanic dam that could release up to 50 million cubic metres (1.8 billion cu ft) of water into Katsina-Ala River.

Consequently, the National Emergency Management Agency has conducted some technical studies and developed various counter measures classified under absorption, mitigation, and elimination depending on the location. Absorption measures involve the preparation of the threatened areas to absorb the initial effects of the event such as prediction of the Lake Nyos Dam-break and flood arrival time, flood inundation mapping, emergency preparedness planning and containment of flood by a buffer dam; mitigation measures include reinforcement of the Lake Nyos dam, control of the dam seepage, control of potential rock- fall into the lake, venting of gas from the lake bottom; while elimination measures were aimed at removing the danger posed by the lake like draining of the lake and degassing the lake.

Through this study, it has been observed that preventive measures will be the genuine option to tackle the socio-economic effects of the predicted disasters Lake Nyos may pose to man and his property.  Besides, geologists have further confirmed that the natural hazards presented by these lakes are unique in that remediation is possible before a disaster occurs. It has been recommended that lowering the density of the gas-water mixture by pumping of gas-rich bottom waters to the surface of the lakes will help to remove the gas currently in the lakes, and possibly prevent future gas that may buildup using a pipe that continuously flushes bottom water out of the lake.

Reducing the danger of these hazards is very vital; however people in the area concerned must be educated about the risks involved and the level of risk they are willing to tolerate; as people living around the lakes are at risk. In this case there is a need for adequate alert system that will be coded in several languages of the communities to be affected. This will help to inform the residents about the impending flood and forewarn them to vacate the river banks.

There is an instant need for the states to construct buffer dams in addition to the ongoing construction of buffer dam project across Benue Communities by the federal government to hold the excess water; while the state governments must collaboration with their respective State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to put in place some palliative measure against the impact of the impending disaster; and means of transportation and communication must be provided for the emergency officers to get across the communities around the River Benue where there is no road network.

Effective collaboration among stakeholders on disaster management such as Fire Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Police, medical services, Federal Road Safety Corps, private, Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Disaster Reaction Units of the military, Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evacuation Teams must be encouraged to provide adequate emergency response, and assist NEMA with its ongoing proffered technical measures against the anticipated Lake Nyos collapse. Besides, if necessary workable evacuating systems should be provided for the population living around the danger zone; and facilities must be sufficient provided in the alternative environments chosen for them.

 Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

PEACE-BUILDING TOWARDS CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

As a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with great interest in the Disaster Risks Reduction (DRR) campaigns, I received an invitation to attend a 2-Day Seminar organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) which was held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The workshop was on Peace Building and Conflict Management for sustainable development in Nigeria, with a theme “Response to Violence Conflict and Disasters” held in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

At the event which had in attendance major stakeholders in disaster management, many factors were suggested to have resulted to crises in Nigeria over the years. For instance, the Director General of NEMA, , Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi attributed insecurity and violent conflicts confronting the nation to socio-economic struggles, drought and desertification, massive urbanization, landslides, weak traditional and socio-political institutions. He also blamed ignorance, intolerance among various groups and communities, unequal distribution of resources among others.

From the outset, participants at the workshop which included traditional rulers, youths, labour groups, community leaders and members of security forces, realised that conflicts and disasters share common links because disasters cause conditions which weaken state and lead to conflicts. They identified the current state of conflicts and insecurity as having roots in Nigeria’s history, social exclusion, diversity, growing poverty rate, developmental and governance challenges. Meanwhile as some of the participants noted the inevitability of conflict and disaster, the resource persons sensitized participants to be committed to conflict and disaster management as peace is possible and conflict and disaster are preventable and manageable.

Interestingly stakeholders, especially from Plateau, Plateau and Nasarawa and others whose states have witnessed intense communal clashes expressed their willingness and commitment to collaborate and synergize for conflict, disaster and security management.

Nigeria is presently confronted with cases of insecurity and violent conflicts that continue to challenge the country’s democracy, stunting economic growth and development. These deadly conflicts have decreased the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), affected social cohesion, the standard of education, increased religious intolerance, weakened traditional and religious values, and are serious threats to the national quest for stable democracy. This situation is not unconnected with the disintegration of our value system, especially among the youth who are always manipulated by elites for selfish interests. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons; the transnationalization of terrorism; globalization; unequal distribution of resources are issues that have been traditionally identified with conflicts. However, the rise in natural and man-induced disasters have further exacerbated the state of insecurity and violent conflicts in Nigeria.

Towards the end the participant at the peace-building workshop agreed on the need for a broad based and people driven approach to security management as well as involving traditional and community institutions in conflict and disaster management initiatives at all levels.

Issues bordering on unemployment rate in the country were also discussed extensively as Nigerian youths are susceptible to violent conflicts and insecurity because of idleness, illiteracy and joblessness. In this case, the participants recommended knowledge, skills transfer, and local technical support to promote self-help skills are as essential principles toward peace building. The engagement of youth through skill and technical capacity building programmes were advocated to prepare and diversify their skills for employment. The fight against corruption is also recommended to be intensified in order to combat the endemic institutional corruption in the country while calling on security operatives to abide by the rule of engagements and professions in conflicts situations.

It was unanimously agreed that there is the need to improve collaboration among all stakeholders to build trust, synergy and confidence in disaster management in Nigeria, while the Nigerian business sector must put in resources to peace making, peace building programs in collaboration with the government.

In an effort to reduce remour mongering and reckless speculations that were noted for some crises, the stakeholders at the forum called on the relevant authorities to build the capacity of Nigerians in ICT and in the application of social media networking in conflict and disaster early warning response, and in confronting misinformation that exacerbates conflicts and insecurity.

As Nigerians, we are all stakeholders in disaster management and peace-building efforts. Therefore we have the responsibility to make peace a reality and be conflict managers and not conflict generators.

The workshop was able to achieve its aims and objectives of reviewing strategies for violent conflict and disaster responsiveness in Nigeria; it is only hope that the orgnisers NEMA and IPCR would replicate the same in other geopolitical zones, not only as talkshop but to follow-up on the recommendations.

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Causes and Preventions against Lead Poison

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

CAUSES OF LEAD POISON

1. Individual past account of gunshot wounds or shrapnel
2. Exposure to lead materials at work
3. The use of cosmetics that contain lead, such as lipsticks or kohl eyeliner
4. Individual exposure to lead dust
5. Individual contact with pre-1978 house paint through dust, peeling paint, or cracking plaster
6. Individual exposure to soil having a high lead content
7. The use of lead made materials such as ceramics, furniture, containers, and cookware.
8. Consumption of imported candies or foods
9. Children’s jewelry and toys containing lead
10. Daily human and industrial activities including excessive mining

PREVENTIONS AGAIST LEAD POISON

1.  Avoid storing food or drink in containers that might contain lead

2. Regularly filter your water before drinking or using it for cooking

3. Avoid using lead paint in your house

4. Dust your house regularly

5. Remove furniture that might have been painted with lead paint from your home

6. Run your water before drinking it or use it to cook

7. Using only cold water for drinking and cooking

8. Frequently wash your child’s hands and face

9. Wash your hands properly before eating

10. Always wet mop you floors and clean window sills

Abubakar Jimoh is a NYSC member in Abuja ant author of “Tips Against Ten Major Disasters in Nigeria” abujimoh01@yahoo.com

AVERTING LEAD POISON IN NIGERIA

ABUBAKAR JIMOH

Lead has been described as a naturally occurring metal, generally found in deposits of ores containing other elements commonly used as a solder in home plumbing systems and in water service pipes designed to transport water from municipal water mains into homes. However, the interference of lead with a variety of body processes is poisonous to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems; notably among the children, causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders, convulsion, paralysis and even death.

In the last few years, many Nigerians, especially the young one have suffered from series of health challenges arising from the emergence of lead poison which has led to the death of hundreds. For instance, Zamfara State lead poisoning epidemic has claimed the lives of over 400 children in the year 2010; no fewer than 500 persons were admitted in various hospitals for lead epidemics; while over 4000 children were tested positive to toxic lead contamination in the same state in the year 2012.

This awful development is not limited to only Nigeria as over 1000 children have been affected with lead epidemic in central Henan province, China. Also, occupation is another factor that exposes adults to lead poison. For example, it has been estimated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), more than 3 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to lead in the workplace.

In a study conducted by NEMA in collaboration with international stakeholders on epidemics control, it has been reported that lead poison arises from such human daily activities as placing lead objects or fingers in mouth after handling lead, breathing dust that contains lead. Lead can be found in pre-1978 house paint, solder used in plumbing, dust and chips from deteriorating lead paint on interior surfaces, old/imported toys or furniture, curtain weights, pottery, porcelain, leaded glass, and hobby materials, contaminated breast milk, among others.

In response to tackle these deadly epidemic, apart from time-to-time distributions of relief materials to the victims of lead, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) under the leadership of the Director-General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi has established a partnership with state governments and international organizations by organizing series of stakeholders’ workshops to help sensitize the general public on the prevention and mitigation against the influence of lead poison.

Following this, in his key note address at the National Workshop on the Mitigation of the Risk of Lead Poisoning Associated with Gold Mining and Processing among Rural Communities in Zamfara State, March 2011, Alhaji Sani-Sidi warned against the ongoing excessive and unjust mining activities among rural communities in Nigeria; and the need for the constant Environmental Impact Assessment in part of state governments. This can be achieved through effective environmental management, land use planning and strict compliance to occupational safety and industrial regulations, as the society exploited its natural resources to sustain livelihood.

Meanwhile, early diagnosis through clinical screening conducted by medical specialists will help to determine the signs and medical history of the poison. Indeed, the main tool in diagnosing and assessing the severity of lead poisoning is laboratory analysis of the blood lead level. Besides, screening is an important method in preventive medicine strategies. Screening programs exist to test the blood of children at high risk for lead exposure, such as those who live near lead-related industries.

Frequent hand washing has been recommended as vital steps individuals must embark upon to reduce the blood lead levels of children include increasing their intake of calcium and iron, and discouraging them from putting their hands in mouth.

Households are counseled on the regular practice of running water in the morning to flush out the most contaminated water, or adjusting the water’s chemistry to prevent corrosion of pipes. Also, use only cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, and for making baby formula. It has been argued that hot water is more likely than cold water to contain higher amounts of lead; hence, water can avoid lead exposure.

Recommendations have been made by health professionals for lowering childhood exposures include banning the use of lead where it is not essential and strengthening regulations that limit the amount of lead in soil, water, air, household dust, and products. In this case, there is a need for the adequate review and full implementation of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) of 1988 in addition to the existing administrative mandates of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administrative Control (NAFDAC), National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to help gaining effective control and regulate environment and land use as well as maintaining adequate check against local and imported paints, furniture, and toys containing lead.

In the lead-prone environment, individuals are advised to create barriers between living areas and lead sources; while all sources of lead must be isolated until the completion of the environmental clean-up. For the children living in the zones, parents should create temporary barriers such as contact paper or duct tape, to cover holes in walls or to block children’s access to other sources of lead.

Regularly wash children’s hands and toys which can become contaminated from household dust or exterior soil. constantly wet-mop floors and wet-wipe window components as household dust is a major source of lead, therefore, parents should wet-mop floors and prevent children from playing in bare soil; if possible, provide them with sandboxes

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

Causes and Prevention against Global Warming

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

1. Excessive use of electrical use of  gadgets
2. The global increase in the use of fossil fuels
3. Global deforestation
4. Increase in global agro-chemical Industrialization
5.  Improper disposal of rubbishes
6. Environmental indiscipline
7. Increase in Oil and Gas drilling around the world
8. Increase in rural to urban migration
9. Governments’ weak environmental policies.
10. Inadequate education and enlightenment on the use of environment

PREVENTIONS AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING

1. Avoid excessive use of electrical gadgets, and ensure they are switched off when not in use
2. Global effort towards the development of the alternative mean of energy generation
3. Practice forest preservation
4. Dispose properly, rubbishes
5. Global review of the governments’ environmental use laws
6. Adequate supervision on the global Oil and Gas drilling
7. Rural development
8. Observe environmental discipline
9. Adequate environmental education and enlightenment for both individuals and industrial sector
10. Reduction in the global use of mechanical engines such as cars, buses, and trucks

Abubakar Jimoh is a NYSC member in Abuja ant author of “Tips Against Ten Major Disasters in Nigeria” abujimoh01@yahoo.com

 

AVERTING AGRO-ALLIED WATER POLLUTION

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

In recent times, water pollution has emerged as one of the critical environmental challenges facing Nigeria as many rivers and streams have become contaminated by mostly natural and man-induced activities. Water pollution involves contamination of streams, lakes, underground water, bays, or oceans by substances harmful to living things.

Globally, all living organisms largely depend on water for their livelihood; while some live in it, some drink it. Also plants and animals require water that is moderately pure, while they cannot survive if their water is loaded with toxic chemicals or harmful microorganisms. Water has always been a vital resource for human beings. With the power conferred by fossil fuels and modern technology, people have rerouted rivers, pumped up deep groundwater, and through such processes polluted the Earth’s water supply as never before.

Hitherto, as Nigeria grows socio-economically, it has suffered from series of water pollution; most especially in the Niger-Delta area of the country where land and water surfaces have been contaminated with Crude Oil activities by the Oil and Gas industries located in the region. The oil spills and burnoff of petroleum and natural gas industries, and clearance of vegetation have seriously damaged the land, vegetation, and most waterways in the Niger Delta region. This phenomenon has resulted to a number of health damages, and thousands of death since the discovery of crude oil in 1950s.

In a study carried out by the  National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), it was discovered that several activities have accounted for water pollution, among these are petroleum products which get into water mainly by means of accidental spills from ships, tanker trucks, pipelines, and leaky underground storage tanks, pipeline thefts; composed chemical substances used to kill unwanted animals and plants on farms or in suburban yards; improperly treated agro-industrial hazardous wastes; excessive organic matter like fertilizers and other nutrients used to promote plant growth on farms and in gardens which find their way into water; soil erosion; floodwater from croplands, strip mines, and roads; improper dumping of debris.

Meanwhile, NEMA-ISDR partnership has proffered essential solutions to help tackling problems of water pollution across the country. Following this, it was resolved that there is a need for the review and full implementation of Nigerian Environmental Use Act to help in adequate safeguard of lives from avoidable death that could arise from water  pollution.

Recalled, in 1988 Nigerian government established the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) to address problems of desertification, oil pollution, and land degradation, but the FEPA has recorded little or no success. Whereas, in 1995 the weak and fragmented Environmental Agency  witnessed further inept performance after the execution of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, a well-known writer who struggled to stop environmental degradation in the Niger River Delta.

The FEPA must be technically and administratively strategized with mandate to sets standards for land use, environmental utilities, and industrial activities in the country. For instance, it has been reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that constant amendment and implementation of the United States Clean Water Act of 1972 remains one of the most successful pieces of environmental legislation in the history as the number of U.S. rivers and lakes that are safe for fishing and swimming has risen by more than 70 percent since the early 1970s after serious water pollution it encountered 1940s.

Effective public education and enlightenment must be put in place against dumping of contaminant by both individuals and industries in the country. This will require the collaborative efforts of both public and private individuals to discourage people from dumping contaminants, such as used engine oil, down grates which may pollute nearby waterways.

Householders and farmers are urged to be sparing in their use of garden pesticides and fertilizers in order to reduce contaminated runoff and eutrophication. Many drinking water supplies are contaminated with pesticides from widespread agricultural use. For instance, more than 14 million Americans drink water earlier contaminated with pesticides, it was estimated that 10% of wells contained pesticides such as Nitrates, a pollutant often derived from fertilizer runoff causing methemoglobinemia in infants, a potentially lethal form of anemia.

Excessive use of fertilizer by famers and agro-industries must be discouraged in the country through the institution of adequate and appropriate sactions; as cadmium in fertilizer derived from sewage sludge can be absorbed by crops. If these crops are eaten by humans in sufficient amounts, the metal can cause diarrhea and, over time, liver and kidney damage. Lead can get into water from lead pipes and solder in older water systems; through this, children exposed to lead in water can suffer mental retardation.

Furthermore, farmers can practice environmental protection through traditional techniques include planting of different crops in a single field at once to cover the ground more evenly and thereby reduce erosion and increase fertility; planting and maintaining farmland trees and hedgerows to reduce erosion.

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of the NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Causes and Preventions against Water Pollution

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

 

CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION

1. Discharge from industrial used contaminated heated water.

2. Oil spill from petroleum products and industrial surface runoff.

3. The surface runoff from farms, construction sites or other hazardous surfaces.

4. The improper disposal of solid agro-industrial wastes.

6. Ill-treated sewage discharged, and accidental leaks and spills from handling and storage of chemicals.

7. Slash and burn farming practices, and fertilizers runoff from agricultural activities.

8. Radioactive substances from industrial, medical and scientific activities.

9. Bakeries, factories emission, automobile discharge, and harmful metals and sulfides from mining.

10. Bacteria flushed from sewages from household and livestock operations

 PREVENTIONS AGAINST WATER POLLUTION

1. Adequate preventive campaign and sensitization programmes against illegal dumping activities in the community.

2. Always keep our waters clean, and prevent water pollution of nearby rivers and lakes and groundwater.

3. Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is not necessary.

4. Full implementation of government regulations and sanctions against the industrial environmental abuse.

5. Avoid throwing paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain.

6. Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries.

7. Avoid excessive or abnormal use of pesticides and fertilisers.

8. Plant trees and have more plants in your garden.

9. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes.

10. Compost your food scraps rather than using a garbage disposal in your sink.

 Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Causes and Preventions against Work Place Accidents

CAUSES OF WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

1. Poorly designed operative structure
2. Slippery floor arising from oil and grease
3. Excessive competition among employees
4. Bad weather condition, and carelessness
5. Distractions, stress, overwhelming fatigue and lack of concentrate
6. Inadequate employees safety measures
7. Lack of safety habit in part of employees
8. Poor communication skills between the employer and the employees
9. Inadequate supervision and lack of safety signs
10. Clumsiness and sleepiness at work

PREVENTIONS AGAINST WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

1. Create a conducive working environment for the employees
2. Adequate supervision
3. Simplify operational guidelines and safety instructions for the employees
4. Constant review of safety instructions and operational manuals
5. Adequate operational and safety trainings for the newly recruited employees
6. Avoid gratuitous competition among employees
7. Ensure regular maintenance and cleaning of working environment
8. Organise health and safety training program for employees
9. Establish or update operating procedures and maintain adequate communication
10. Maintain constant segregation of duties among the employees

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC in Abuja.

abujimoh01@yahoo.com