‘Why Nigerians must oppose plastic pollution’

Stakeholders in the environment sector want Nigerians to move against plastic pollution.They urged the people to ensure that plastics are only recycled, if they would not cause harm to the environment and human health.

The stakeholders spoke yesterday in Abuja at a forum organised by Resource Conservation Development Initiative (RCDI).Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Habitat, Obinna Chidoka, disclosed that 300million tonnes of plastic waste are produced in the world, adding: “Nigeria would have to contend with this.”

The lawmaker said the House was working to amend the laws guiding pollution in the country.He said they would respond to its dangers, while also making effort to ensure preservation of the environment.

According to him: “One million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, and we have become addicted to single use with severe environmental consequences.”Also, a consultant to the National Assembly on Solid Minerals, Dr. John U. Osonwa, disclosed that there are micro plastic with health implications.

He urged the people to rise up to fight plastic menace in the country.An expert from NESREA, Mrs. Miranda Amachree revealed that many families have recorded deaths from plastic pollution.She held that to beat this would depend on how the people dispose the products.

Also contributing, Dr. Theodore Mayak called on government to look at the concept of plastic in our national life.“Our life revolves around these wastes, so there should be an enforcement mechanism,” he said. Another expert from RCDI, Minite Okoroh, stressed the need to put the mother earth first, think about environment, as well as develop technological know-how to beat plastic pollution in the country.