NECCSA Update: March 2006
1. Niger Delta : A violation of human rights
Rev. Amadi Ahiamadu from Nigeria writes:
The oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta have a right to freedom of expression, clean air and a green environment. Corruption in Nigerian society has not allowed Federal and State law makers to promulgate the relevant laws for environmental protection nor make judicious use of the revenue derivable from oil. This has impacted negatively on the human rights of the minority groups which make up the Niger Delta – the Ijo, Ogoni, Ikwere, Ekpeye, Ogba, Urhobo, Isekiri, and Edo communities, to mention a few
Foreign economic interests in the Niger Delta - that are preserved by successive Nigerian governments - have impacted on the ecology, economy, and environment of the Niger Delta and lead to the devastation of the agricultural and fishing areas of the local population. The Nigerian state as a whole has been dependent on oil in the last five decades. The sad thing is that in the production of oil in Nigeria the multi-national oil companies have ignored the global standards of environmental impact assessment, and have continued to flare “gas” into the air while dumping waste products on the soil.
This pollution leads to a violation of human rights that has not been taken up in the international community nor by the Nigerian government for that matter because of glaring corruption and the abuse of privilege. The net result of this has been long years of degradation, neglect and deprivation that have resulted in massive poverty, youth and women restiveness, industrial actions, civil disturbances, killings and the spread of various kinds of infectious diseases including HIV/Aids.
2. A Book: “The Water Harvester”
A book on the life experiences of the Rhodesian war that discusses environmental concerns and actions with reference to God
The details are: The Water Harvester, episodes from the life of Zephaniah Phiri by Mary Witoshynsky published by Weaver Press, Harare, Zimbabwe ISBN 0-7974-2123-8
3. Africans in Energy Production
Prof Jesse Mugambi (University of Nairobi) writes:
Why should Africa be short of electricity, considering that most of the continent is located within the tropics where the sun shines brightly the whole day the whole year? Germany and other countries are offering inducements to their individual citizens and institutions to install 'clean energy' modules in their houses, farms and establishments, including churches. To qualify for rebate they feed their power to the national grid and are paid at a higher rate than they buy it back at. Everyone is a winner. The national utility spends less to generate electricity, and the individual customers earn credit for their power contribution to the national grid. It is working in Germany.
Many African households would be delighted to participate in such a scheme, because it would bring down their monthly cost of electricity. Interestingly, power generation is under greatest strain in Africa during the day, when the sun is shining. Why not encourage photo-voltaic and wind generation among individuals, and bring about the so-called 'private-public' partnerships? Why must 'private-public' partnerships be viewed exclusively in terms of Transnational Corporations, which are uncontrollable and whose interest is only profit?
Africa will 'develop' by leaps and bounds only if its citizens are encouraged to participate in the production of the essential ingredients of industrialization - not merely as consumers, but as producers! Immense capital can be mobilized in this way - not by buying shares in corporations, but by contributing kilowatts to the national grid with 'profitable' inducements.
4. Ban Glass on Beaches: Call on Minister of Environment
Mr Andre De Wet, the Chairman of an Environmental Care group in Kenton on Sea, writes:
“I am concerned, about an increase in the broken glass on our beaches. The drinking on the beaches and the smashing of bottles has escalated, and injury is only a matter of time away. I am not sure whether legislation currently exists, and that it is not enforced, or whether there is no legislation in place yet. We call on the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Martinus van Schalkwyk, to enforce or to promulgate legislation, to ban glass bottles on our beaches, on a national scale.”
5. Diocese of Natal holds first Diocesian Environmental Conference
The Anglican Diocesan Environmental Committee for the Diocese of Natal, will be holding their first diocesian environmental conference on the 25 and 26 of August. The Bishop of Natal, Rubin Phillip, is encouraging each region in the diocese to send four or five people to the conference who will then take up the issues in their region afterwards. Local parishes are encouraged to have their own groups
6. Manning Road Methodist Church (MRMC) - Environmental Call Group:
This Environment Group was established in 1998 to worship and focus on God in the natural surroundings and promote awareness of Christian stewardship responsibilities towards Creation. The Group has a slogan which reads "The Earth is the Lord's".
The group arranges an event every second month and holds bi-monthly meetings to discuss certain aspects including past activities, future key events and plans for specific national calendar events. They have organised Guided Nature Walks (emphasis on birds & flora) and seminars (hosted by a Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (WESSA)representative), which are then concluded with a meal. The Children's Church have committed themselves to assisting in alien invader removals at various surrounding reserves.
The Manning Road Methodist Church, that is situated at 450 Moore Road in Durban, has a purely indigenous garden on the grounds. Members of the Environment Group are currently members of WESSA as well as suppliers to Mondi Recycling. They also occasionally liaise with the Diakonia Council of Churches.