Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo, Warri
The Federal Government has been called upon to formulate policies that would regulate the usage of plastic in the country.
This call was made by Mr. Paul Akporowho, Chairman and Coordinator, “2023 World Environment Day”, Delta chapter shortly after members of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Delta Chapter had observed the exercise at Ugbuwangue Market, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Mr. Akporowho who was also a former National Secretary of Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) said that many countries in Africa had prohibited the use of plastic as packaging materials.
He added that some countries were phasing out the usage of plastics and replacing them with “paper bags” in view of it’s hazardous effect on the environment and health.
Accordng to Mr. Akporowho, “paper bags were replaced with polythene bags. We should go back to the use of paper bags because they are degradable and are made from degradable bio-products like Timbers.Timber is natural to the environment and can degrade easily. That is why we are encouraging it.”
The former NES Secretary also called for an action plan by Delta State Government to manage plastic wastes noting that it was not the responsibility of the Federal Government to manage waste in the state.
Mr. Akporowho disclosed that going by the Constitution, waste management was residual to the states and local governments, adding, “State government should focus on drawing an action plan to manage plastic wastes along with other waste.”
He, however, said that plastic wastes should be separated and given special attention while taken care of others like the refuse waste.
Speaking on the programme, Mr. Akporowho further disclosed that the theme of the “2023 World Environment Day” was “Local Solution to Plastic Pollution”.
He added that the NES had successfully enlightened traders and stakeholders in Ugbuwangue Market on the hazards of plastic wastes pollution.
He spoke further, “NES, Delta chapter joined other stakeholders in the world to commemorate the 2023 World Environment Day and we focused on plastic wastes pollution. Plastic materials centuries ago was hailed as solutions to the packaging problems because it is cheaper and effective, but few decades ago, we have seen that plastic waste has become a nuisance.”
He added, “whatever plastic we disposed off on the earth surface, in most cases find their ways into the natural drains and canals, go down the stream until they get into the ocean. Along the line, they constitute hazards to marine and aquatic life, block drainages and cause flooding in urban areas.”
Mr. Akporowho said, “when fish in the canals and ocean eat the plastic wastes, it becomes hazardous to them and when we eat the fish it constitute health problems to us.”
Dr Lauretta Aherobo, National Financial Secretary of NES handled the sensitisation section while other members of the society engaged in picking plastic wastes within the market square.
Dr Aherobo urged the traders to ensure proper disposal of their plastic wastes noting that it had a lot of environmental and health implications.
Accordng to Dr. Aherobo, “do not dispose your plastic wastes or burn them. They can pollute our environment, water and also cause health challenges like infertility among others. Gather them inside polythene bags and give to companies that recycle plastic waste materials. If you burn them, it will cause air pollution.”
She added “if you leave them on the ground, they will find their ways to the canals and cause a lot health and environmental hazards.”
Some of the traders who were elated by the exercise thanked the people for the awareness campaign.
