Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to Governor Peter Mbah on Water/Sanitation/Hygiene, Chika Mbah, has stressed the importance of proper disposal of wastes especially nylon and plastics to preserve the environment.
She said this during the tree planting campaign at the premises of Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu to mark the 2024 World Environment Day.
This year’s event with the theme, “land restoration, desertification and drought resilience,” was organised by UNICEF and the Enugu State Government through the Ministry of Environment.
The special adviser said that because nylon materials do not decay they impede the growth of trees and ornamentals thereby destroying the environment.
“It is important to always dispose your nylon and plastics properly to allow trees to grow and to preserve the environment.
“If you destroy the environment we cannot have trees and ornamentals; so, always dispose your nylon and wastes properly to preserve our environment,” Mbah said.
Speaking, Mrs Chinonye Nnamchi, Acting Managing Director, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA), said that the theme of this year’s celebration is a key pillar of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
“A rallying point call for the protection and revival of ecosystem all around the world, which is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.
He said that UNICEF was advocating for a greener environment, the #Greenrisung project.
Nnamchi disclosed that by 2027, more than one million youths/community volunteers from across Nigeria would be actively engaged on climate action, by planting at least one million trees around water sources, school premises, public spaces etc.
“By 2027, at least 100 LGAs become free from plastic waste, as a result of advocacy, mobilisation and action by youth climate activists; and at least 500 plastic waste recycled, generating employment for at least, 20,000 youths/girls/women.
“Also, by 2027, 16 state governments recognise the role of youth and children in state climate policies and establish formal mechanism to engage them in consultation/policy princess,” she said.
Dr Ude Ebele, of the Nigerian Environmental Society said the event was all about changing the environment to protect the present and future generations.
“We intensify efforts to educate the younger generations on the preservation of the environment and to be conscious of the environment,” she said.
The world environment day is celebrated every June 5, by the United Nations to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
