On the Occasion of the 2023 World Environment Day, Tracy Uzoigwe, the Convener of Living Earth Media Foundation, emphasized the need for the Nigerian Federal Government to take Immediate action in Safeguarding the Environment.
Tracy called for the Implementation of Policies that effectively address Plastic Pollution and Degradation.
Speaking at the 2023 World Environment Day Commemoration Organized by the Foundation in Collaboration with the Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation and the Embassy of Sweden in Abuja, Tracy highlighted the detrimental Impact of Indiscriminately disposing of Plastic Waste on both land and Water Bodies.
She stressed the Importance of Engaging relevant Stakeholders, Organizations, and Individuals to ensure strict adherence to Environmental Policies by both Companies and Citizens.
“When Plastic pollutes the Environment, it is because they do not Degrade.
Once you Consume a Sachet of Water or a Plastic Bottle and dispose of it, it remains in the Environment for nearly 500 years before exhibiting any Signs of Degradation.
This extended duration can wreak havoc on the Environment.
We all must take Action to remove Plastic from our surroundings,” she stated.
Tracy further emphasized the Potential of Recycling and reusing Plastic as a means to combat Plastic Pollution.
She urged the Government to Establish enabling Policies and Involve all Stakeholders in formulating Strategies to curb Plastic Pollution.
Yakubu Mohammed, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), highlighted the Employment Opportunities that proper Plastic Waste Management can Create, estimating over 50,000 Jobs.
Mohammed called for Collaboration among Local, State, National, and International bodies to work together towards a Plastic Pollution-Free Society.
He mentioned ongoing Interventions in 16 communities, where Training Programs have been conducted to Teach Youth and Women how to convert Plastic Waste into Valuable Resources.
Women have been Empowered to transform Plastic Waste into smokeless charcoal, serving as a clean Cooking Solution and a Source of Income.
Youths have also been trained to collect and Convert Waste into Bricks for Construction Purposes, thus establishing a Value Chain in Waste Management.
Recognizing the need for collective efforts, Annika Hahn-Englund, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and ECOWAS, stressed the Urgency of combatting Plastic Pollution.
She highlighted the staggering Global Production of over 400 million tonnes of Plastic annually, with half of it designed for single-use Purposes.
Hahn-Englund emphasized the wide-ranging benefits of addressing Plastic Pollution, Including cleaner air, safer cities, Improved equality, and better Job Opportunities.
In conclusion, urgent and Coordinated actions are necessary to drive meaningful changes that lead to Improved lives and Healthier lives.
