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Foremost Niger Delta Environmentalist Warns Against Indiscriminate Disposal Of Plastics
Austin Oyibode, South South Bureau Chief
The Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has appealed to Nigerians and particularly the people of the Niger Delta region to reduce the use of plastics to protect the environment.
The foremost NGO in Delta state made the appeal on Tuesday to commemorate the 2018 World Environment Day (WED).
National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said in a statement that all stakeholders, including agencies of government as well as federal ministry of environment should create awareness on dangers of indiscriminate disposal of plastics and call people to action to protect the environment.
“Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental concerns facing us today and this has constituted a global problem.
“CEPEJ will soon be visiting parks, markets, roads and public institutions to raise awareness that everyone has a role to play in taking care of the environment,” the statement read.
According to him, the use of plastic has become a serious challenge because of its widespread.
“They are easily available, cheap and light and this has constituted a public menace because plastic pollutes the environment from the time they are manufactured till their final disposal.
“Improper disposal also poses a problem because we see our canals and water channels blocked by these polythene bags,” he said.
He also recalled that the production of plastics involved emission of obnoxious gases, which posed serious health problems to the workers and the neighborhood.
“Plastics can also be toxic and harmful to the human health. Many of these plastics also end up in rivers and oceans and thus endangering our aquatic life”, he added.
“It is important that we all understand the enormous responsibility of protecting the environment for future generations,” he added.
The theme of this year’s World Environmental Day, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” is aimed at encouraging global action to protect the planet and take ownership of the environment.
