By Felix Umande, Makurdi

The unusual absence of harmattan in Nigeria till the new year has left residents bewildered, describing the experience as strange and unprecedented.

Experts attribute this anomaly to climate change, which is disrupting traditional weather patterns. Rising global temperatures, sustained warm ocean temperatures, and delayed shifts in atmospheric pressure zones are contributing to the delay.

According to climatologists, the Intertropical Discontinuity (ITD) has remained further north than usual, allowing moisture-laden winds to persist and prevent the dry harmattan from setting in. Unusually warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures are releasing significant moisture, counteracting the dry conditions needed for harmattan.

Makurdi residents are expressing fear as the delayed onset of harmattan has significant implications for agriculture, water scarcity, and health. There is heightened fear ss the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) also warns that the delayed harmattan may lead to erratic rainfall, affecting crop yields and food security.

Key factors contributing to the delay include:

• Delayed Retreat of the Intertropical Discontinuity (ITD)
• Unusually Warm Ocean Temperatures
• Persistent Moisture and Off-Season Rainfall
• Global Warming
• Urban Heat Zones

As the situation unfolds, Benue people are left wondering what the future holds for their climate. Will the harmattan eventually arrive, or will this be the new normal? One thing is certain – climate change is reshaping Nigeria’s weather patterns, and it’s time to take notice.

By Saint Mugaga

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for Single-Use Plastics Ban in Nigeria has proposed the introduction of a green tax on industries engaged in the production of polypropylene, one of the most widely used materials in plastic manufacturing.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the House will also consider a legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a nationwide strategy to mitigate pollution and safeguard public health.

Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that

He said the move was aimed at addressing Nigeria’s rising plastic waste crisis and ensure that industries bear responsibility for the environmental costs of their production activities.

Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked rise in polypropylene-based products has placed immense pressure on Nigeria’s already strained waste management systems.

He said “Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing. During the production process, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk.

“It’s responsible for enormous carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion. As waste, polypropylene isn’t biodegradable, lingering in landfills for up to 500 years and polluting our oceans and harming marine life in the process.”

He added that the committee would engage closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into the national waste management program.

“Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of environmental neglect. Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind. This committee will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented,” Ugbor said.

Nigeria is currently ranked among the top 20 countries globally contributing to marine plastic pollution. Studies by the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate that the country generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 percent being recycled.

Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the hardest hit, as clogged drainage systems and waterways littered with plastic waste contribute to recurrent flooding and water contamination.

Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastic materials contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while burning plastic waste releases toxic emissions into the atmosphere, worsening air quality and contributing to respiratory diseases.

Ugbor said the committee would also hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is both effective and equitable.

“This is not about taxation,” he emphasised. “It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.”