Nigeria: Experts call for recall of non-reusable plastic in circulation as it poses threat to the ocean
Students participating in the cleanup process
Debris gathered from in and around the sea by students
Items made from waste products
Debris gathered from in and around the sea by students
By Chinyere Ogbonna – As the world commemorates this year’s World Ocean Day experts at various events to mark the day in Lagos, southwest Nigeria organised by the United Nations Information Centre in collaboration with the Nigeria Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, NIOMR and a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, FADE experts condemned the used of disposable plastic.
The said plastic manufactures should be held accountable for the impact of non-degradable plastic materials which find their ways into the ocean and pose serious threat on the ocean.
One of them, a renowned, environmentalist, Dr. Desmond Majekodumi, argued that it had become necessary to hold them accountable because they are part of the problem and we are all going to be part of the solution because the problem is getting bigger and bigger, so we need to deal with it.
Dr. Majekodumi said people should support the ocean as much as they care for the other part of the earth because the ocean is the source of our lives. Dr. Majekodumi called for a law that would regulate the activities of these companies.
“The ocean is a massive part of the whole creation and we need to care for the ocean as much as we care for other part of the earth because the ocean supports us with a lot of life support- oxygen, food and so many other resources come from the ocean”
“We have to put good laws into place that will ensure that they do the right thing which I to make sure that their plastic is brought back, recycled because you can’t just be poisoning the atmosphere because you want to be making profit and getting away with it.” Meanwhile, 24 billion of top soil is said to be lost to plastic pollution annually across the world.
A don, Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, of the Botany at the University of Lagos, Akoka, made the remark at an event put together by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on the occasion of this year’s World Environment Day in Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Prof. Dele Olowokudejo decried that plastic had taken over our environment and subsequently, our beautiful oceans.
“Plastics are taking over our oceans, they are ruining our lands. Plastics pollution leads to loss of 24 billion tons of top soil every year. “Plastic accounts for about 10 per cent of the total waste generated. Production of plastic uses about 8 per cent of the world’s oil production. “About 500 billion plastic bags are used annually worldwide,” Olowokudejo said.
The academician, however, proposed a solution on how to surmount the problem of plastic pollution in the country, as he called for a concerted effort of all stakeholders on the environment.
“There should be a formulation of a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, an implementation of a National Plastic Waste Recycling Programme in partnership with manufacturers and critical stakeholders.
“Individuals, families, communities, companies must agree to implement practices that reduce waste at every level. “We must get rid of bottled water recommended for single use and buy reusable water bottles,” he said. He further called for the enforcement of existing environmental laws and policies to curtail the impact of plastic pollution in the state.
“The enacted laws to address environmental challenges in Nigeria must be fully applied. “The National Environmental Regulations, 2009 Prohibits persons from dropping litter (polythene bags inclusive) on roads, public space, drainage channels or other undesignated places through National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
“The issue is that implementation/ enforcement is weak,” he said. The professor however, urged the government, regulatory bodies and other critical stakeholders to brace up in tackling plastic pollution in the country.
“We are indeed privileged to be a part of the current movements of Homo sapiens who have recognised their ecological limits and are willing to respect boundaries in order to save our planet.
“We have seen the danger signs of our destructive activities and are willing to take corrective actions. Therefore, while we should always think globally and cooperate regionally, we must continue to act locally. The academic said we must rise above plastics, “Let’s rise above plastics and the time is now,” Olowokudejo said.
