Government at all levels have been called upon to adopt and implement a comprehensive zero waste plan and single use plastic with a view to addressing all forms of waste at the source of generation across all value chain.
The call was made by Richard Benin, Executive Director, Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) during a riverside action and environmental campaigns in Forcados and Odimodi communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as part of activities to mark World Environment Day and World Ocean Day.
He said it is important for individuals, cooperate organizations, CSOs, governments at all levels to come together to fight this menace and bequeath an environment in a better condition to our children, as we owe them that.
He explained that plastic waste is growing to be one of the most disturbing issues bedevilling our planet as of today, as these products contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment and the people.
Benin further stressed that, of the 450 million tonnes of plastics produced annually around the globe, only 9% is recircled and a sizeable amount of the remaining unrecycled ones find their way into our rivers and oceans which on the other hand have negative impacts on the ecosystems.
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The Executive Director admonished the people to completely avoid or reduce the use of plastic to save their environment and to save mother earth. Speaking further.
Also speaking, at both communities, Nowho Fred stated that World Environmental Day is not just celebrated but a reminder that there’s need to pay attention to the environment, to save the earth for future generations.
On her part, Nefertiti Ayo Okotie said if man must survive staying on planet earth, then all must join in the fight against plastic pollution.
According to her, plastic waste accounts for 85% of Marine waste, adding that about 11 million metric tons of plastic goes into the ocean annually and is estimated to triple over the next 20 years.
Speaking, the Chairman of Forcados, Burutu Erekedowmini called on the appropriate authorities to intervene and save the people of Forcados from being wiped out by the environmental issues plaguing their community.
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On her part, Lucy Akinto complained that smoke and black oil from oil exploration activities is affecting the people of Forcados, adding that yet no form of development has been seen in the community.
She lamented that the community does not have portable water, power supply or roads.
Also speaking, Evelyn Orijemi lamented that the people have given up on farming because their farmlands have all gone under water, while crude oil has destroyed fishing activities of the people.
She added that the people of Forcados are living in poverty and their community is being washed away by the sea.
Engineer Jacob Diale also lamented that Forcados has the potential of being a well-developed community, glory of Forcados have been diverted to other parts of Nigeria.
He further lamented that people have been abandoned in deep poverty by the government and the oil multinationals whose crude activities have destroyed the ecosystem and livelihood of the people.
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On their part, the women of Odimodi who expressed their gratitude, testified that after the visit of CODAF in January 2023 and the advocacy efforts made, made Shell to introduce nine (9) new scholarship slots for the community and brought medical teams to examine and attend to the medical needs of the people.
While they appreciated the efforts of Shell, they however appealed that rather than bringing occasional medical teams to the community, a standard hospital with trained doctors should be established permanently in Odimodi to attend to emergencies and other unforeseen medical needs of the people.
They also requested for the introduction of adult education for the aged who still value education, and the provision of loans and grants to improve the standard of living in Odimodi.
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