By Dayo Adewale
In its concerted efforts to combat flooding this rainy season, Ekiti State Government has dredged over 14 km stretch of waterways in different parts of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The governor of the state, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji disclosed this during the 2023 World Environment Day held in Ado Ekiti.
Oyebanji, who said that the dredging exercise was still on going assured that the project would also be extended to other parts of the state.
The state governor, who was represented by the Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project(NEWMAP), Dr. Akintunde Akinyugha, decried the level at which the environment has become increasingly polluted with plastic bottles and other contaminants, adding that the wastes are harmful to human health.
He stated that the celebration of this year's environment day, with the theme 'Solutions to Plastic Pollution' marks another struggle to rescue our environment from the looming dangers of epidemics occasioned by indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in our environment, most especially inside canals and drainages.
The Governor noted that it is important to correct the errors by sensitizing and mobilizing people towards inculcating the habit of personal hygiene and sanitation of the environment, saying that personal hygiene would be practically demonstrated through intensive sensitization campaigns and policing of the Environmental Health Officers and Environmental Sanitation’s Task Force called Kick Against Bad Act (KABA) in the state.
“As a responsive and environmental friendly government, we cannot continue to ignore the problems caused by indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in our streets and drainages any longer, and we must take urgent action to reduce, recycle and reuse them through the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority recycling plastic plants at Ilokun, Ado Ekiti.” The Governor added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ekiti State Head of Service, Barr. Bamidele Agbede commended the efforts of the state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for deeming it fit to approve the program to be celebrated in the state so that Ekiti could join other states of the federation and the world at large to mark the 2023 World Environment Day.
Agbede stressed that the present administration is committed to finding lasting and sustainable solutions to plastic pollution in line with goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), adding that the state government would implement policies that would reduce the use of plastic bags and encourage the use of biodegradable materials.
“Government cannot do it alone, we need the collective efforts of every citizen to make a significant impact. We must all be responsible for our waste and adopt sustainable practices in our daily lives. We must reduce, reuse and recycle to minimize the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our environment” Agbede beseeched.
In her goodwill message, the State Coordinator, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA), Mrs Tomori Abosede described the theme for 2023 World Environment Day as a solemn appeal to everyone to take a pause and reflect on how badly the environment is impacted and to immediately proffer appropriate solutions to the menace.
She encouraged everyone to go back to their various communities to set clean up groups that will evacuate all these plastics from drainages, streams and waterways for onward recycling.
Also, in her goodwill message, the Chair, Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Committee of the International Law Association (ILA),
Nigeria branch and the founder, Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation, Mrs Oluwaseyi Ebenezer stressed that plastic pollution has become a menace that human beings must contend with lately.
She stressed that the way plastics are being used and disposed contributes to the pollution of the ecosystem, thereby creating risk for human and animal health and destabilizing the climate.
She appreciated the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for putting Ekiti on the world map on the auspicious day by adding his voice to the issue of plastic pollution and calling on Ekiti people to change their perspectives towards plastics.
In his own comments, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Babatunde Alokan appreciated the stakeholders present at the event for their immense contributions towards the success of the programme as well as making efforts to save the environment.
Alokan called on the NGOs to access various international bodies who are experts to invest more on the state’s environment so that Ekiti will be cleaner, safer, healthier and more conducive.
The PS noted that the sensitization/awareness campaign as well as walk from Post Office area through Atikankan-Ijigbo-Okeyinki-Okesa to the venue has clearly indicated that solution to plastic pollution could be achieved in Ekiti State through regular picking of disposable plastic and polythene wastes for proper disposal for the state to be free of all forms of epidemic and diseases.
2023 World Environment Day in the state took the stakeholders on road walk and awareness campaign from the post office via atikankan through ijigbo round about to Okeyinmi area of the state capital.
Dignitaries at the event were Permanent Secretaries, General Managers, LGA and LCDA chairmen, market women leaders.
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