Connect with us

Metro

ERA, Others Want Coca Cola, Others Held Accountable For Plastic Pollution

Published

on

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged the Edo State government to compel Coca Cola Company, Seven Up Bottling Company and other producers of plastic to engage in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) by taking responsibility of the plastic waste they produce.

This demand was the highpoint of a Return-To-Sender Action organised by ERA/FoEN on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in Benin City, as an extended action of a Brand Audit Exercise in four different markets in Benin.

The event was held in collaboration with Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZEWA); Edo Civil Society Organization (EdOCSO) and Students Environmental Assembly of Nigeria (SEAN), University of Benin Chapter.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Gas Flaring: Edo Oil Producing Community Demands N500bn Compensation, Threatens Eviction

INFO DAILY reports that the exercise was targeted at determining the highest polluting brands, and at the end, it was discovered that Coca Cola and Seven Up were the highest polluters, with a frequency rate of 33% and 23% respectively.

The exercise involved the collection of discarded plastic bottles which were returned to Coca Cola and Seven Up facilities in Benin City.

Advertisement

Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams, represented by Babawale Obayanju stated that the flooding experienced in Benin City and its environs is aggravated by the plastic waste materials that have found their way to the drainage systems and water ways.

READ ALSO: Zero Waste: All Hands Must Be On Deck – Says Environmental activist

He added that statistics clearly show that the identified companies are making lots of money and are equally contributing heavily to the plastic waste menace in Benin, without any waste management systems in place.

Advertisement

“We brought their plastic waste back to them as it is polluting our environment and based on our findings during the brand audit, the Coca-Cola Company, Seven Up Bottling Company and others primarily use plastics for their packaging, including PET bottles with plastic caps.

“It is very crucial for these companies to design and develop a take-back or withdrawal scheme for their products as there are no active withdrawal schemes currently in place. Implementing the take-back/withdrawal schemes and exploring circular economy models can enhance recycling rates and reduce plastic pollution.”

“We also request that The Coca-Cola Company and the other brands should have a squint at further research and development into eco-friendly packaging materials, collaborate with recycling partners, and engage with consumers to achieve its plastic reduction targets and contribute to a cleaner environment”, he stated.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: CSOs Visit Delta Ministry Of Environment, Wants End To Plastic Pollution, Open Waste Dumping

He called on Coca-Cola Company, Seven Up, CWAY Group and others to transition to sustainable packaging alternatives such as biodegradable materials, reusable containers, or reduced plastic packaging

Also speaking during the action, Project Officer, Waste Management of ERA/FoEN, Melody Enyinnaya stated that the plastic pollution experienced in Benin City is appalling because manufacturers produce without retrieving their waste.

Advertisement

This, according to her, has thrown the environment into a dumping ground for plastics especially drainage systems and our rivers.

She demanded that coca cola, Seven Up and all other manufacturers should withdraw their plastics waste from the environment, saying fishes are needed in the rivers and not plastics.

She admonished them to participate in recycling programmes and encourage customers/consumers to recycle their products’ waste as all the waste materials found during the brand audit are all recyclables.

Advertisement

She also urged them to engage in awareness campaigns to educate consumers about plastic pollution and the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

The Brand Audit and Return-To-Sender exercise was organised to hold plastic producers accountable for the waste they produce, to draw attention to the dangers of plastic waste in the environment, and to call on producers to replace single use plastics with reusable or biodegradable plastics.

 

Advertisement

Metro

Police Restores Peace After Bomb Explosion Rocks Imo Community

Published

on

By

The Imo State Police Command has restored peace and order in Obinwanne Community, Njaba LGA, after a bomb explosion rocked the area, killing the carrier and injuring two others.

A press statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the community was thrown into panic following the incident, but the swift intervention of police personnel restored normalcy.

He explained that operatives from the Njaba Divisional Headquarters received a distress call alerting them to the incident, which led to the immediate mobilisation of officers to the scene.

Advertisement

It was confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device carried by one Mr Chinworeke Mmadu from Ebonyi State, which detonated prematurely, leading to fatal injuries that later claimed his life.

READ ALSO:

According to the statement, two passers-by who sustained injuries were rushed to Santa Maria Hospital, where they remain in stable condition.

Advertisement

“In furtherance of the response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Hamzat A. Abdulkadir, visited the scene with operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit. The area was carefully swept and has been declared safe for public use,” he added.

Okoye further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the deceased was carrying the explosive device, and inquiries are ongoing to determine his motive and possible affiliations.

READ ALSO:Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion

Advertisement

Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, while responding to the development, wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and assured Imo residents of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also urged members of the public to remain calm, be security-conscious, and provide timely information to aid security efforts.

Danjuma further advised the public to report any suspicious item or object to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines for prompt action.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

Deborah Okwori, Murdered Fashion Designer Buried Amid Tears

Published

on

By

Deborah Eneyi Ohekuru Okwori, professionally known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been laid to rest in her hometown of Ugaga Ohuhu Owo, Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.

DAILY POST reports that Deborah was allegedly murdered by her jilted lover, Lintex Ogale, in Lagos on September 3, 2025. Ogale reportedly stabbed her multiple times before fleeing.

She was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:

The suspect was later arrested and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings.

Recall that the moment the casket arrived in her hometown, Deborah’s mother moved mourners to tears with a poignant tribute: “Since you did not wait to dance at my burial, I’ll dance for you instead.”

Advertisement

She was seen dancing around the casket, expressing her grief and love for her daughter in an emotional display.

Family, friends, and community members gathered to honor Deborah’s life.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

Police Ask Court To Issue Arrest Warrant Against Andy Uba Over Alleged N400m Job Scam

Published

on

By

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has formally asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-senator Andy Uba over a N400 million job scam.

The police intend to arrest Uba and bring him to court for trial.

The IGP sought the arrest order on Wednesday following the persistent absence of Uba, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate, to appear in court for arraignment over the alleged appointment fraud.

Advertisement

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar had, in July, slated Wednesday for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu.

When the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, C.L Odiniru apologized for Uba’s absence and said the former senator is sick and receiving treatment in the United States.

READ ALSO:Court Remands Man Who Beat Wife In Viral Video

Advertisement

Counsel to the prosecution (IGP), Aminu Abdullahi, however told the court that the defense counsel had, during previous proceedings in the matter, given sickness as reason for the absence of the first defendant without adducing any documentary evidence to show that he is actually sick and cannot face his trial.

Abdullahi prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the former senator.

Defense counsel, Odiniru, opposed the application for a bench warrant and following a directive of the court, said the defense has obtained documents showing that Uba is receiving treatment abroad.

Advertisement

But responding, Abdullahi said granting the application for bench warrant will be in the best interest of justice.

Justice Umar who was apparently angry over the repeated absence of Andy Uba, said the court will do whatever it takes to ensure that he is present to face his trial if he failed to come to court on the next adjourned date.

READ ALSO:Abuja Court Jails Ex-legislative Aide For N120m Fraud

Advertisement

I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge said and adjourned the matter till October 28, 2025 for Uba and his co-defendant to take their plea.

It would be recalled that the prosecution had, on March 5, 2025, amended a two-count charge filed against Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, before the former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The police had earlier named Uba and two others in the first charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.

Advertisement

The co-defendants, in the two-count charge filed on October 10, 2024 by Abdulrashid Sidi in the Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, were Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

But in the amended charge filed March 4, 2025, by Sidi, Uba and Etu are listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while Crystal Uba’s name was dropped.

READ ALSO:Kenya Court Seeks UK Citizen’s Arrest Over Mother’s Murder

Advertisement

In count one, it was alleged that Uba, Etu and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometimes in 2022, conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.

Uba and others were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr George Uboh that they had perfected ways for giving appointment as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to any interested person who could afford N400 million.

A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the charge stated.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Men Can Take Wives’ Surnames —South Africa’s Top Court Rules

The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.

Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, said the petition was based on documentary evidence and voice recording, adding that the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

Advertisement

No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.

The case was re-assigned to Justice Umar, following the suspension of the former judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version