Following the commemoration of World Environment Day, last Monday, Professor of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation at Rivers State University, Godfrey Akani, has called for enforcement of laws as a way of improving the environment in the state.
Prof. Akani told The Tide in an exclusive chat in Port Harcourt that the state has good environment laws that need to be strengthened and enforced to curb the rise in various activities that abuse and deteriorate the environment.
“We need to enforce the laws if really we want an improved and better environment. Imagine people disposing wastes in drains and some dumping wastes along the road. I think the law should be enforced, so that when some people start seeing others being arrested and prosecuted on television, they will take caution”, he suggested. Urging the citizens to be environmentally responsible, the don also called on oil and multi-national companies to adhere to laws by ensuring that their wastes are disposed without harm to the environment.
Commenting on the recent soothe that overtook most parts of Port Harcourt and environs last two months, Prof. Akani blamed the situation on poor environment regulation and monitoring noting that, “before the soot, there have been lots of environmental challenges. We have poor waste management, oil spills and incessant pollution from chimneys of industries, even in the abattoirs, there are a lot of pollutants”.
He, therefore, suggested the need for what he described as detection of “point source”, arguing that an environmental audit can only succeed with adequate funding of research in universities and other institutions.
The Environmental Biology expert warned that if the current posture is maintained, the livelihood of the people will be affected.