Clara Omuluzua Madubike | I-Witness News
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 finds that Environmental risks make up half of the top 10 risks over the next ten years. Over 8 billion tonnes of plastic waste dumped in our ocean, lakes and rivers make their way into food systems resulting in direct threat to marine life and human health.
The Commissioner for Environment in Anambra State, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu who spoke to newsmen on Tuesday, 23rd April, 2024 at the state secretariat, hinted that the Earth Day 2024 is an urgent call to action to clamp down the acceleration of plastic pollution which is suffocating our planet. He went on to narrate that plastics pose multifaceted threats from the microplastics infiltrating our food chains to the non-biodegradable debris desecrating our ocean and landscapes.
Earth day 2024 is an opportunity for everyone – from individuals to the highest level of government and industry to take a stand against the plastic crisis, by participating in “planet vs plastics’ activities, adopting more sustainable habits and supporting measures to reduce plastic production and waste. As we progress through the 21st century, the health of our planet emerges as a pressing issue which has got Earth day campaigners/advocates calling for a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by 2040 which is not only necessary for human survival but for the well being of our ecosystem
The Commissioner opined that the Soludo led administration had before now mapped out strategies for redefining our relationship with plastics and combating plastic pollution/crisis. He highlighted that Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo through the Anambra State Ministry of Environment has been working continuously in the area of plastic waste reduction and some of his strategies include:
•Encouraging Plastic recycling by: Establishing two waste recycling hubs (1) Awka recycling hub at highland neighbourhood new layout Enugu agidi and (2) Smart waste recycling hub, Nkwelle ezunaka, and also an association to coordinate plastic waste recyclers under one body named Anambra state waste recyclers association (ASWRA) whose sole aim is coordinating, limiting scavenging and fostering the growth of the sector in general which had recycling industries revamped while new ones sprang up.
•Engaging in Environmental Education, Advocacy, Volunteering, symposia, Roadshows, talkshows, programmes which encourage consumer behaviour change in plastic usage.
. Anambra State Ministry of Environment in conjunction with ASWRA hosted the maiden edition of ‘ All Anambra Communities plastic pick up challenge1.0’ which recorded up to 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste mopped out from 179 communities in the state. Winners in the first, second and third positions went home with 1million, 500 and 200 thousand naira respectively.
Again, he stressed that Mr Governor through the Ministry of Environment held a Plastic waste sustainability summit at Hilton Leisure Hotel, Awka which had the presence of PGs, Ndi Igwe, School Children, Waste Recyclers, Asatu men, women and youth wing, Waste Contractors, Recycling companies Friends of the environment and NGO’s. The programme helped raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and various changes individuals can make to reduce their plastic footprint. The event also promoted responsible consumption which encourages circular economy and choices that prioritize sustainability such as reusable products to disposable plastics items and single use plastics
•Various visitations by the Commissioner and team members to recycling companies in the state have ensured corporate accountability which encourages cooperate responsibility for plastic production by adopting sustainable practices and materials. This boosts transparency in the supply chain as the team demanded clarity from corporations on how their plastic products are made and disposed thereby promoting a shift towards circular economy.
Odimegwu added that these strategies have garnered the attention of the federal, cooperate brands and international communities thus putting Anambra state on the map. As we speak European union has captured Anambra as one the state that will benefit in their pilot scheme project in transitioning to net zero through circular economy approaches
Furthermore, the Commissioner urged Ndi Anambra to let Earth day 2024 be a turning point in our fight against plastic pollution, a moment where we collectively choose to invest in our planet health and wellbeing and that as we draw closer to the launching of ALL ANAMBRA COMMUNITY PLASTIC PICK UP CHALLENGE 2.0 we can turn the tide against plastic pollution and pave the way for a CLEAN, GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE ANAMBRA
