The Southwest Zone of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sent an appeal to Ibadan residents to minimize the use of plastics in order to reduce plastic pollution and preserve the environment.
The appeal was made at a rally organized by the agency to mark the 2018 World Environmental Day.
Revealing the purpose of the rally, Adeleke Tijani, the Zonal Director of the agency said the rally was organized to create awareness and urge the people to protect the environment.
“Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental concerns facing us today and this has constituted a global problem.
“We are visiting parks, markets, roads and public institutions to raise awareness that everyone has a role to play in taking care of the environment.”
“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.
Adeleke revealed the production of plastics involves emission of obnoxious gases which according to him pose a serious threat to human health and life.
“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.
“Plastic debris consumed by fishes is also dangerous to humans because we also end up eating those fishes.
“That plastic is likely to find its way into the tissues of our bodies with potentially harmful consequences.
“It is important that we all understand the enormous responsibility of protecting the environment for future generations,” he said.
2018 edition of the World Environmental Day is themed “Beat Plastic Pollution.” It is aimed at encouraging global action to protect the planet and take ownership of the environment.
NAN
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