Gaza: 155,000 Pregnant Women Struggling to Survive- Says Palestine Envoy

By: Michael Mike

Ambassador of Palestine to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh has drawn global attention to emerging humanitarian crisis in war torn Gaza, stating that around 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers are struggling to survive.

He said: “They are suffering from hunger and the diseases that stalk it, amid life-threatening shortages of food, water and medical care …. Only three maternity hospitals remain in the Gaza Strip, and they are overwhelmed with patients.

“Doctors and midwives … are struggling to provide adequate care to newborns.”

Addressing a press conference at the weekend on the situation in Gaza, Shawesh lamented that mass graves continued to be discovered on Gaza Strip, with the war currently leaving an estimated 37 million tons of debris and unexploded ordnance.

He decried that as it stands, the war is projected could take 14 years to clear the unexploded ordnance and rubble.

Shawesh said: “As of May 1, the number of Palestinian martyrs has reached 34,535, with 77,704 wounded, in addition to thousands of others who are still missing under the rubble or subjected to enforced disappearance in Israeli occupation detention centers.”

He alleged that “Palestinian detainees are subjected to harsh measures, receiving minimal sustenance such as a single slice of bread and a small amount of food to merely sustain their lives and prevent death, resulting in substantial weight loss and serious health consequences.”

“Around 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers are struggling to survive. They are suffering from hunger and the diseases that stalk it, amid life-threatening shortages of food, water and medical care …. Only three maternity hospitals remain in the Gaza Strip, and they are overwhelmed with patients.

He noted that: “The Palestinian Minister of Transport, Tariq Zourub, declared that the losses of the transportation sector in the Gaza Strip exceeded 3 billion dollars. The occupation destroyed about 945 km of roads and 55,000 vehicles, which is equivalent to 65% of the road network and 60% of the vehicles licensed in the strip.
Day after day, Israeli crimes in Gaza are revealed, and every day we witness a new chapter of genocidal crimes.”

He added that: “Recently, many mass graves were discovered in the Al-Shifa Medical Complex and the Nasser Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip, which contain hundreds of dead bodies.”

Gaza: 155,000 Pregnant Women Struggling to Survive- Says Palestine Envoy

Senator Lawan commends Tinubu on the salary increase for workers

By: Yahaya Wakili

President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON, Sardaunan Bade, commends President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for giving his approval to a salary increase of between 25 and 35 percent for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.

Senator Lawan disclosed this in a press statement signed by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, FCP, and Fsca Media Adviser to Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, which was shared with newsmen in Damaturu.

Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, in a statement to celebrate International Workers Day, also tasks the federal government with upholding the rights and dignity of workers.

The lawmaker who represents Yobe North Senatorial District further underscores the need for the government to work in solidarity with workers and prioritize their demands for fair treatment and equal opportunities.

The statement by the former Senate President reads, I join the millions of our workers in celebrating this year’s International Workers Day. This day is dedicated to honoring the contributions and achievements of working people everywhere and reflecting on the ongoing struggle for worker rights and justice.

The president of the 9th Senate revealed that, in the face of the prevalent economic challenges, it is more important than ever to stand in solidarity with our workers and support their demands for fair treatment and equal opportunities.

“On this International Workers Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of our workers and continue to work towards a future where they can thrive and succeed.

“Let me also seize the occasion to commend President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his approval of a salary increase for civil servants. By approving a pay raise, the president has shown how passionate he is about improving the well-being and livelihoods of our workers.

I applaud President Tinubu for recognizing the importance of fair compensation for civil servants and for taking proactive steps to address this issue. I believe that this decision will help to boost morale, motivation, and productivity amongst our workers, ultimately leading to better service delivery for the benefit of all citizens.

Senator Lawan commends Tinubu on the salary increase for workers

Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution

By: Michael Mike

Kebetkache, in Rivers State has raised an alarm to the pollution committed in the oil rich state by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), calling on the oil exploration company, the government, global community, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues.

In a statement titled: “The Environmental Assault Committed by Shell in Rivers Communities” issued at the weekend to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the community said: “There is a threat to sustainable development in the Niger Delta. The environmental crisis of air pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change have become significant challenges for people and communities.”

The statement read: “This is the reason Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre use the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day to provide update on key environmental injustice cases in Rivers state. This is necessary to prevent misinformation and disinformation by people who do not understand the issues. It is important to note that the information ecosystem is crucial.

“The theme of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crisis” and it is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. In view of this, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, with her allied organisations present the environmental pollution issues in Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua local government area and Aminigboko community in Abua/Odual local government area.

“In 2016, people in Chukwure family compound discovered that their hand dug well was filled with crude oil instead of water that it was producing until that fateful period. The case was reported to the Shell the corporation carrying out activities in the locality.

“The family has been worried and concerned over their fate living such level of pollution. Part of the response by Shell to advocacy efforts to get justice for the family is Shell sealing off the affected well.

“A visit to the site on May 2nd 2024 showed that some family still live with the pollution. The family wants to be relocated to somewhere safe and secured and compensation paid for damages so far suffered by family members.

“Obelle community of Emuoha Local Government Area, Rivers State, is one of the sites where Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) carries out its oil extraction activities. In 1998 the well-4 head operated by Shell erupted with gas fire, burning over thirty hectares expanse of land, in the community for about three months.”

The community alleged that: “After burning for some weeks, SPDC added some chemicals to control it. The
chemicals were washed into the community’s aquifer, resulting to impacts on the people’s health and their source of livelihood. The only solution proffered by SPDC was to acquire these lands without alternative provision for farming. There was no compensation made to the community and the people have suffered untold hardship as a result of the insufficient land to carry out their farming activities and women are the worst hit in terms of displacement.

“Cases of environmental pollution are also reported in Aminigboko community, where environmental impact assessment is also under contention by community members. The issues have been reported to the Dutch National Contact Point, who intervened and made recommendations. The company has outrightly refused to address the issues since 10th February 2023 when the recommendation was made.”

The statement said Kebetkache in 2022 had conducted an environmental and socio-economic assessment in Ibaa community, and the key findings from the field revealed a widespread crude oil contamination in the seven groundwater and four soil samples covering a radius of about 6 kilometres based on the risk associated with undue exposure to crude oil contamination, the assessment recommended as an emergency measure that the impacted families and others within 1500 metres across the pipeline right of way be relocated to safe locations within the community, provision of safe drinking water for the community and the rectification of the cause of the leakage in addition to other long term remedies.

“Kebetkache is therefore using this medium to call on the government, global community, SPDC, regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders to take urgent action to address these issues,” the statement added.

Rivers Community Calls for Urgent Action to Address Pollution