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.
