By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO has announced its commitment to collaborate with the Rivers State Government in tackling the persistent issue of flooding in the state. The club’s newly installed President, Rtn Dr. Bieye Renner Briggs, made this known during his installation as the 4th President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Briggs, a Public Health Physician and Environmental Advocate, highlighted the club’s focus for the 2024/2025 Rotary year. He revealed that the club is working on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for flood mitigation in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region. He expressed concern over the annual flooding exacerbated by climate change, which results in the loss of lives, property, and livelihoods.
“Every year, flooding continues to impact us severely due to climate change, and it seems as though relevant stakeholders, including the government, are unprepared. We need to find ways to adapt and reduce the impact on lives and livelihoods,” Briggs stated.
He further announced plans for a multi-stakeholder conference, bringing together government agencies and other relevant bodies to create a comprehensive policy on flood management. This policy, he said, would be adopted by the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders to mitigate the effects of flooding.
Briggs also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as President, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence that, with the support of Rotary members, those challenges would be overcome.
In his remarks, Dr. Briggs charged the government to take more decisive action on environmental issues, noting that many of the problems were man-made and required human solutions. He criticised the lack of political will to implement environmental policies in Nigeria, calling for more concrete efforts to address environmental sustainability. “There are policies on paper, but implementation remains a challenge. We urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to come together and create workable policies,” he said.
Dr. Briggs committed to continuing the initiatives of his predecessors, particularly the tree-planting campaign, which he believes is essential in reducing greenhouse gases and promoting a cleaner environment.
In his farewell address, the immediate past President, Rtn Dr. Anthony Ikpor, praised Dr. Briggs’ capabilities and urged him to build on the club’s achievements. He also advised him to continue collaborating with the Rivers State Government and other agencies to sustain the club’s impact.
The President-Elect, Rtn Iniruo Wills, described Dr. Briggs as a seasoned environmental advocate who has been at the forefront of campaigns such as the “Stop the Soot” initiative in Rivers State. He expressed confidence that Briggs would lead the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt ECO to greater heights.
At the event, Dr. Gaidom Ferdinand delivered a lecture on the environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta, focusing on the divestment of oil assets by international oil companies (IOCs) and its implications for the region.
The ceremony also featured the inauguration of the club’s Board of Trustees, the induction of new members, and the presentation of awards to distinguished members, including the Charter President, Rtn Dr. Emem Okon, and President-Elect, Rtn Iniruo Wills.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the TC Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Bitebobo Nelson Amieye, and representatives from other Rotary clubs.
