Developmental work is fast gaining pace at Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city NEOM as the giga-project finalized contracts worth SR21 billion ($5.6 billion) to build the first phase of residential communities for the workforce.

In one of the world’s largest public-private partnership deals for social infrastructure, NEOM signed up some of the leading Saudi developers to build 10 communities across the smart city that will accommodate an additional 95,000 occupants upon completion of the first phase.

According to a press release, the preferred bidders who will invest in developing this first-phase residential project include Alfanar Global Development, Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Co., Nesma Holding Co. and Tamasuk Holding Co.

Tamasuk Holding Co. will be investing in the project through two separate partners — Al Majal Al Arabi Group  Co. and the Saudi Arabian Trade and Construction Co.

The deal goes well with the $500 billion project’s plan for more private sector participation in developing the city’s infrastructure.

The project owner revealed that the temporary residential projects, used by the workforce during the construction period of NEOM, will be built sustainably, using relocatable modular units which can be repurposed once the communities are no longer needed.

These residential communities will also include a wide range of lifestyle facilities, including swimming pools, entertainment venues, multi-purpose sports fields, cricket ovals and outdoor courts for other sports.

NEOM said the second phase of the temporary residential project is expected to be issued to the market in the coming months as it is reviewing interest from investors with plans to shortlist pre-qualified participants from now.

The giga-project is being developed to attract additional investors for its commercial assets.

With the signing of the multibillion-riyal investment, NEOM looks to achieve the project’s goal of having a direct economic impact on the region through developing local competency and creating jobs while advancing the use of sustainable solutions in construction.

Indonesia, one of the world’s worst plastic polluters, is going to phase out single-use plastic products by the end of 2029, Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya announced this week, as the country aims to achieve its zero-waste goals by 2040. 

Asia has been identified as the biggest contributor to ocean plastic, and Indonesia — an archipelago nation of 270 million people — is a major source country. 

Indonesia produced 68.5 million tons of waste in 2022, government data shows, more than 18 percent of which was plastic. 

Less than 10 percent of waste is recycled in Indonesia, and more than half ends up in landfills.

“Plastic pollution is a real threat that will impact all communities across the world,” Nurbaya said in remarks issued on the occasion of World Environment Day. 

“By the end of 2029, we will phase out several types of single-use plastics.” 

This includes plastic shopping bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam items commonly used for food packaging. 

“This is a way to deal with packaging wastes that are difficult to collect, have no (economic) value, (and are) hard to recycle,” the minister said, adding that manufacturers are also mandated to reduce their use of plastic packaging by 30 percent by the end of 2029 to “push the growth of sustainable businesses and the circular economy in Indonesia.” 

The shift to a circular economy has been advocated by the UN Environment Program, which last month said countries and companies could slash plastic pollution by 80 percent in less than two decades by implementing deep policy and market changes.

“We are heading toward sustainable waste management (and the) practices of a circular economy,” Nurbaya said. “The potential of the circular economy not only brings economic benefits for the public but is also in line with achieving the zero-waste target by 2040, and zero emissions by 2050, or sooner.” 

Indonesia has seen efforts to reduce single-use plastics, including Bali province’s 2019 ban on single-use plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam, and a similar one enforced in the capital, Jakarta, in 2020. 

The Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development (NDWPD), an NGO, has called for the inclusion of women in negotiation teams  to address issues on land grabbing.

Mrs Caroline Usikpedo-Oliseowe, the Executive Director of NDWPD, made the call in Asaba on Monday at a news conference in commemoration of World Environmental Day.

The conference entitled, ‘’Land Grabbing and its Impact on Forest Resources and Gender Equality” was held at the State Secretariat in Asaba.

According to her, land grabbing has brought more negative influence particularly in areas of displacement, dispossession and loss of income.

“Women must be recognised as critical stakeholders and should be consulted for their input in any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“The impact of women losing their traditional livelihood to uncertain gambling in the name of land grabbing to an investor is a very high risk to the community,” she said.

Mrs Martha Onose of Community Empowerment and Development Initiative said that government and relevant stakeholders should implement actions that would address land grabbing and forest degradation.

“There should be training and capacity building for the community leadership on forest preservation, negotiation, mediation and conflict handling styles,” she said.

As part of fleet recapitalisation effort of the Nigerian Government, the Nigerian Navy (NN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dearsan Shipyard Turkey to remodel the NNS ARADU.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, on Tuesday said the MoU was signed to refit the ship aimed at enhancing navy’s capability for enhanced security within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Gambo said the NNS ARADU, which was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy Fleet as the Flag Ship in 1985, had represented Nigeria in diverse naval operations and exercises within Africa and beyond.

He said it was the only variant of the five MEKO 360 Frigates built in Germany for Argentine and Nigerian Navies.

According to him, wear and tear associated with sustained use as well as the harsh operating environment has taken its toll on the edifice.

“However, with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the unrelenting efforts of the Standing Senate Committee on rehabilitation of NNS ARADU, we are gathered here today to commence modalities to reroll and modernise the nation’s flag ship.

“Another significance of today’s event is the landmark agreement for the supply of additional 57-meter Fast Attack Craft to support the remodelled Flag Ship.

“Undoubtedly, operationalisation of these two vessels will not only increase the fleet of ships but also reposition the Nigerian navy for enhanced maritime security operations for socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria and Africa at large,” Gambo said.

The naval chief said the choice of partnering with Messrs Dearsan Shipyard was based on the company’s track record in high-quality ship building capability as well as strict adherence to agreed timelines.

He added that the firms were currently constructing two High Endurance 76-meter Offshore Patrol Vessels for the navy in Turkey.

“A major consideration is the fact that several equipment, auxiliaries and subsystems being used in the construction of the offshore patrol vessels will be fitted on board NNS ARADU.

“This is to further enhance operability and equipment standardisation, which undoubtedly will guarantee

seamless maintenance necessary to extend the life span of the remodelled flag ship.

“The MoU will re-ignite the partnership between both organisations in promoting synergy toward enhancing security as well as fostering operations and shipbuilding engagements that will enhance capability for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy for Nigeria’s prosperity,” he said.

Gambo appreciated the sustained efforts and support from the federal government, saying it has been instrumental to the successes recorded by the Nigerian navy.

He expressed confidence that the shipyard would actualise a high-quality result and deliver both vessels on schedule.

The naval chief implored both parties to be committed toward the attainment of the objectives.

The Chief Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, said the 125.6 meter ship was the largest in the navy inventory as a general proposed frigate.

Garba said that NNS ARADU was an all-purpose frigate fighting ship capable of undertaking several missions in concert with other units.

He said it has a sustained and independent blue water patrol over a range of 6,500 miles and provides gunfire support to friendly forces operating up to 16 kilometres from the coast.

“It has capability for air defence, submarine warfare, electronic warfare and the ship warfare missiles main lane, as well as airborne or surface search and rescue.

“Since our entry into the service, NNS Aradu has taken part in major naval exercises, fleet reviews and diplomatic cruises.

“The ship has undertaken extensive diplomatic visits to countries like Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Equatorial Guinea and numerous European countries,” he said

The Managing Director, Dearsan Shipyard Turkey, Mr Mukat Gordi, thanked the Nigerian navy for the opportunity to take responsibility as the prime contractor of NNS ARADU modernisation programme.

Gordi said that the relationship started following the signing ceremony of 76m Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) in December 2021.

He said that the 76m OPVs programme had progressed as planned, adding that they aimed to launch the OPVs by the end of the year and deliver the vessels earlier than the contractual dates.

“Since we are aware of the historical importance of NNS ARADU as the flagship of the Nigerian navy, we have initiated our surveys on board the NNS ARADU last year and finalised it in our latest visit to Lagos this week.

“Therefore, we would like to emphasise once again that we are highly honoured for having this chance of being the prime contractor of NNS ARADU modernisation programme.

“We assure you that we will accomplish the modernisation and refit programme according to our contract in time and deliver to the Nigerian Navy,” Gordi said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. George Sekibo, said the navy had worked excellently with the Senate to achieve results.

Sekibo said the signing of the MoU was a landmark achievement owing to the fact that the refitting of the ship appeared impossible at a time.

He said that there had been so much improvement in the security around the nation’s maritime environment.

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has condemned the ongoing demolition of structures by the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) controlled Government, describing the exercise as ”barbaric.”

The Deputy Chairman of the APC in the state, Shehu Maigari, made the condemnation while addressing a Press Conference at the NUJ Press Centre.

He added that the demolition had paralysed and brought to a standstill, commercial activities, at the famous Kantin Kwari and Kofar Wambai markets, among other business platforms in the city.

Lamenting, he said, “Kano, being a megacity and the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region and other West African countries, is now facing a serious calamity from the NNPP-led administration.

“This barbaric and wanton destruction of the people’s means of livelihood by the State Government calls for serious prayers by all well-meaning persons, as the people are now counting their losses in billions of naira.”

He said the demolition exercise had paralysed and brought to a standstill commercial activities at the famous Kantin Kwari and Kofar Wambai markets, among other business areas in the city.

“We, therefore, call on all those affected to exercise patience, maintain calmness, explore all legal means to protect their properties, and seek legal redress for the damages done and the losses incurred,” he said.

The party also urged parents and guardians in the city to caution their children and wards on the dangers of them being used as “agents of destruction by the NNPP-led administration.”

It also asked security agencies in the state to “step up action that will restore the people’s confidence in the light of the shock and calamity that befell the state.”

“Finally, we assure the good people of Kano State of our support and concern in this trying period,” the party chairman added.

As the world continues to battle the threat of plastic pollution, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), says it is ready to provide practical solutions, to plastic menace through simple and adaptable eco-friendly strategies.

Mr Oladapo Soneye, Communication Manager, NCF, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos state, Nigeria.

According to Soneye, WED is the biggest international day for the environment led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973 on June 5.

He added that the WED has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach.

According to him, the theme for the 2023 WED is: “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”.

He said that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the theme called for concerted efforts from individuals and governments across the world to end plastic pollution.

Soneye said that around the world, one million plastic bottles were purchased every minute while up to five trillion plastic bags were used worldwide every year.

“In total, half of the plastic produced is designed for single use purposes (used just once and thrown away),” Soneye said.

He said that the foremost conservation NGO, NCF, joins the rest of the world to mark the 2023 WED through days of activities lined up to educate people and propose practical solutions to plastic pollution.

He listed some of the major proposed activities to include School Recycling Initiative; Beach/Community Clean-up activities and up-cycling.

“These would be done with the aim of protecting our environment by limiting the volume of plastics going into our landfills and promoting environmental education among young Nigerians.

“At the initial stage, some schools will be adopted in Lagos State for the school recycling initiative.

“Schools are stakeholders in championing environmental sustainability in their community; they help inspire passion in children and can help reinforce the message of conservation to children.

“Hands-on activity such as recycling helps drastically reduce the volume of plastics in their community while also building environmentally concerned generation,” Soneye said.

He said that there would be provision of giant sorting bins for plastic collection generated both in the school and neighborhood.

He said that regular pick-up of recyclables will be done and equivalent amount from the pick-up donated to the schools for purchase of school supplies.

The communication manager said that school recycling would inspire students to care about the planet.

He noted that the Beach/ Community Clean-up as an activity was a relatively easy and fun way to help tackle plastic pollution; serving as awareness tool about plastic pollution.

“The more people attend the clean-up, the more environmentally conscious they become, knowing fully well that their plastic waste, if not disposed properly, ends up in water bodies and causing harm to aquatic wildlife,” Soneye said.

Alluding to a UNEP report, Soneye said “Nigeria is estimated to generate about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.

It said that in Lagos State, plastic accounts for 15 per cent of the total waste generated.

The report said that the situation was likely to worsen as Nigeria’s population grows, from more than 220 million people now to an expected over 400 million by the end of 2050, and the production/need for plastic is also growing.

“Plastic wastes such as PET bottles, plastic bags, disposable plates and spoons, straws etc. are found around us, blocking drainage systems, causing flooding during the rainy seasons, and providing good breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Plastic debris finds their way from the land into the ocean through activities like urban and storm-water runoff, littering, improper waste management and disposal, industrial activities, construction, and illegal dumping.

“Marine species ingest or are entangled by plastic debris, which causes severe injuries and death,” the report said.

Dr Joseph Onoja, Director-General, NCF said: “There must be a systemic change to stop the flow of plastic waste ending up in our environment.

“Out of the seven billion tonnes of plastic waste generated globally so far, less than 10 per cent has been recycled.

“Plastic waste, whether in a river, the ocean or on land can persist in the environment for centuries.

“Most plastic items are not degradable as they rather break down into smaller particles called microplastics which recent studies have found in human lungs, livers, and kidneys,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says it would have been “physically impossible” for the Kakhovka dam to have been blown up from outside its immediate area. It’s not yet been established what caused the dam to be destroyed.

He says in a tweet that Russia has controlled the dam and its surrounding region for more than a year, and adds that the dam “was mined by Russian occupiers,” and “they blew it up”.

Zelensky, who earlier warned that as many as 80 towns and villages were at risk of flooding in the region, says the world must react to Russia’s aggression.

Satellite images show the extent of the damage to the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and the area around it.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has demolished shanties and other illegal structures used by street traders and traffic vendors, along the first and second Toll Gates, of the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, said in a statement that the demolition was carried out in a comprehensive enforcement exercise that lasted for hours.

Odumboni said that the corridor had lately become notorious for sustained traffic congestion and other environmental nuisance, largely aided by the illegal activities of those vendors.

He condemned in clear terms, the activities of those traders, warning that anyone caught trying to re-assemble the structures would be instantly arrested and prosecuted.

“We have declared zero tolerance on street trading along the Lekki-Epe Expressway as these activities have led to significant environmental nuisance and traffic congestion.

“It is our duty to ensure that our city remains clean and habitable for all residents and visitors.

“Hence, we urge all traders to vacate the expressway immediately and avoid any further environmental infractions,” Odumboni said.

He appealed to residents to take a new approach in how they treat the environment.

He stressed the importance of environmental responsibility, adding that stringent penalties awaited those who continued to disregard the regulations in place.

Odumboni said that the crackdown on street trading would be sustained in that axis and extended to others in the metropolis, in line with LAWMA’s broader mission to improve the overall cleanliness and livability of Lagos.

He added that arrested offenders would be prosecuted, with their names and photographs published.

Jaco Island, also spelt as Jako Island, is an uninhabited island which is located in Southeast Asian Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor.

Jaco Island is too a part of the Nino Konis Santana National Park, just off the eastern end of the island where the whole country lies, separated from the mainland in front of the Valu Beach.

This almost 10 square meters (108 square feet) land area was created from coral deposits and it is surrounded by limestone cliffs and coral reefs.

Even though it is forbidden for people to camp and stay for an overnight on the island, still, with the local fishermen, tourists can go to the island across the shallow channel that separates it from the mainland.

Even though the distance is not that big, there is a significant danger from the swift currents that go through the narrow passage. Nevertheless, once there, the pristine beauty of the island with the clear turquoise waters will win the hearts of every visitor.

There is a possibility for a short hike around the island, where the highest elevation point is around 100 meters (330 feet) above the sea, and covered completely by tropical dry forest, fringed by strand vegetation and sandy beaches.

Considered as one of the sacred places within the country, it receives this title due to the two seas, Banda Sea and Timor Sea, which meet and greet where the island is located. In the past, there was only one erected structure, a 35 meters (115 feet) tall lighthouse which was destroyed in 2010.

Nowadays, many tourists visiting this small nation, if they have the time, they are coming to visit Jaco Island as well, which has become a real sanctuary for the bar-necked cuckoo-doves, the pink-headed imperial pigeons, fawn-breasted whistlers, Timor sparrows, and other birds which are accompanied on the ground bu the native Javan rusa deer, which most likely has become accustomed to drinking salt water since there is no freshwater on the island.

Definitely a place offering solitude and absolute silence to those who would dare enough to come here and enjoy as much as possible in this East Timorese paradise.