Adebayo Adenrele
…tasks Govt to expedite actions on reduction
An Environmental Expert, Olalekan Adio has called on the residents of Ekiti State to stop plastic pollution as the lives of Nigerians, animals and the Environment are under serious threat, going by the millions of tons of plastic generated annually without proper management system.
Adio made the call in Ipoti, Ijero local government area of Ekiti State while educating a cross section of students on the danger of plastic pollution as part of activities to commemorate 2023 World Environmental Day.
The Sensitisation programme themed: “Solutions to plastic pollution under campaign” was organized by Environmental Management and Development Trust, with support from United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.
The expert, who retired from the Department of Agro Forestry, Osun State Agricultural Development Programme, noted that most plastics were made from chemical materials from gas, oil and coals, adding that whenever plastic waste are dumped, they release carbon dioxide and methane from landfills into the atmosphere, thereby increasing emissions that result to climate change and global warming.
He therefore called on Nigerians to emulate the habit of reducing plastic consumptions, and other activities inimical to the environment.
He also tasked the Federal Government to take pragmatic steps towards reducing the increasing rate of plastic pollution in the country due to its consequential effects on the health of citizens and the ecosystem.
In his remark, the Executive Director, Environmental Management and Development Trust, Dr Owolabi Oluwfemi said the programme was to catch the students young and inculcate the habit of proper hygiene into them.
Dr Oluwafemi, who recently launched a campaign on “end plastic consumptions in Ekiti” appealed to government to start thinking of alternative means to plastic and create better awareness on danger of plastic pollution.
In a separate interview, some of the students and their teachers described the lecture as an eye opener and promised to maintain hygienic environment.