Environment
Environmentalist Seeks Law On Waste Separation
Against the backdrop of the much talked about waste separation in order to ensure proper disposal in the Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs, an environmentalist and industrialist, Dr Osai Mustapher Rueben has said that residents of Port Harcourt are yet to be convinced that anything good could come out of the process of separating their waste. Dr. Rueben, who spoke to our correspondent recently in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt said everybody knows what should be done.
He said one way of making of the campaign work was through the making of a law by the government so that the people would comply.
He said the people can be convinced when they see that the waste they were separating was of any value to them.
According to him, one other way was through the hard lesson that would be learnt on the realisation that at a point in time, materials plastic for water among others were scarce.
It is only then that people would know that resources are limited which is usually the hardest way and that is the best way known to black man to learn”, he said.
Dr Rueben, who is the Managing Director of the Initiates Limited said one of the easiest way to make people feel the economic impact by touching on the pockets of the people
“Because the disposal of waste is not touching on any person’s pocket, no body wants to make any change”, he said.
Explaining further, Dr Rueben, said if the waste people were sending out for government to carry was seen to increase the money government makes then people would begin to look at alternative ways in reducing the money that government was taking from their pockets. The government should appeal to the conscience of the people as well as begin to pinch the pockets of Port Harcourt residents.
On the impact so far made by government agencies like the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (RSESA) and the Ministry of Environment among others, Dr Rueben said their impact should be seen in the context of political coordination and will.
He said the agencies could be there but if the government’s will was not there, such agencies could do nothing effective.
He said the agencies would just be sources of waste of public funds if professionals were left out in the running of such agencies.
They have done a little because these agencies are agencies that are not run by professionals cannot give a professional result, he said.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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