As a way of marking this year’s World Environment Day, the Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN) organised an inaugural seminar and other activities in Port Harcourt recently to give meaning and expression to the global event.
It is, therefore, against this backdrop that the body has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to set machinery in motion to commence the processes of restoring Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
The National President of AELN and Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law at the Rivers State University, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, who made the call in his address at the occasion said there is need for the Rivers State Government, which recently promised an inclusive and sustainable development trajectory, to commence the process of restoring Port Harcourt to its Garden City status, with minimal and acceptable levels of pollution to a green city which will not only attract tourists and investors but ready to promote security and welfare of citizens in tandem with the social contract between the government and the people of the State.
Dike noted that the association which was incorporated in 2019 to address all shades of environmental degradation and to raise awareness on the roles of the citizens and societies to the problems of environmental pollution, as a non-profit organisation that depends on charity, had established chapters in Bayelsa, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Borno and Ekiti States, among others.
He further indicated that the association had also established in Rivers State Environmental Clubs in some universities, colleges and Green Advocates in secondary schools with the aim of broadening the conversation of environmental advocacy by the most vulnerable in the society.
The Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University also hinted that the association has equally carried out various awareness programmes, advocacy, radio and television talks, tree planting sessions and community mobilisation in the State as well as proposed, through its Research and Advocacy Department measures for the eradication of soot in the State, which measures were implemented by the former the former Governor Nyesom Wike administration, which he noted led to drastic reduction in illegal refining activities and pollution incidence in the State.
He said the association would very soon, in collaboration with Green peace in the United Kingdom, the International Environmental Management and Assessment, United Kingdom, National Oil Spill And Response Agency( NOSDRA); and National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency( NESREA) commence the awards of certificates to lawyers as associate members, full members, chartered members and fellows in environmental advocacy, and called on lawyers to avail themselves of the opportunity for the task of advocating for a cleaner and sustainable environment in Nigeria.
Dike described the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, as epochal and vital because, as he put it, plastic pollution affects both green, blue economy and sustained development of a nation, stressing that plastic pollution is dangerous and cancerous because plastics wastes are non-biodegradable.
According to him, the process of recalling of plastic wastes, recycling, reusing, rebranding and reduction of wastes caused by plastics is so economically high that most governments would prefer to look the other way than to bring polluters to book.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Rivers State and chairman of the occasion, Justice Simeon Amadi highlighted the need for prompt and urgent actions to be taken to address environmental pollution in the State.
Represented by a Judge of the High Court, Justice( Mrs) L. C. Thompson, Amadi said the time to address the challenges posed by environmental pollution is now.
He, however, indicated that there is need to muster the necessary political will to drive a better and cleaner environment both on the part of the government and the people, stressing that the people’s cooperation in tackling the menace is very important since, according to him, if the people do not cooperate, nothing will happen.
To actually appreciate the tremendous harm environmental pollution has inflicted and caused the State, he said people should visit hospitals and see the number of children suffering from respiratory problems, adding that creeks and mangroves in some parts of the State are worst hit, as sea foods, a major delicacy of the people are destroyed.
“The time for action is now”, he said.
On his part, the Chairman of AELN, Rivers State Branch, Barrister Simple Dioha said WED acts as a reminder for people to be more considerate and aware of the Earth’s existing conditions in terms of the environment, adding that this year’s event serves as a reminder that people’s actions regarding plastic pollution are important.
“And of course, we all know the degrading and devastating impacts of plastic wastes to the Garden City status of Port Harcourt. People must therefore take action to spread awareness about the environment and also motivate others to do same with the hope of creating a better future”, he said.
The inaugural seminar featured former Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Rivers State University, Prof Ovunda V.C.Okene; and the current Rivers State Commissioner for Education and Professor of Geography and Environmental Management, Prof Chinedu Mmom as keynote speakers.
Speaking on the topic, “Deepening Democratic Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Rivers State: Agenda for the New Administration”, Okene spoke with candour and stressed the need for politicians to transit from being politicians to being leaders as soon as they are elected into office by running government of inclusivity.
Okene, who was represented by Dr Edwin Jonathan described former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as his hero for having gone beyond party politics to put in place laudable infrastructural projects across the State.
On the other hand, Prof Mmom, who spoke on the topic, “ Restoring the Garden City Status of Port Harcourt: The Case of Plastic Pollution and Management in Rivers State”, recommended the ban on use of plastic bags in Nigeria, saying, Nigeria ranks 9th in the world in terms of plastic pollution and the highest in Africa.
Represented by Associate Prof Olarenwaju Lawan, Mmom noted that plastic pollution accounts for environmental degradation in cities like Port Harcourt as plastic materials are indicriminately dumped in drainages and other places, and called for change of attitude.
The highpoints of the event were the inauguration of the Rivers State executive of the association by the Chief Judge; the launching of the association’s Environmental Law Journal; and cutting of the inaugural cake.

By: Donatus Ebi