Poor attitude, policies of govts identified as fueling plastic pollution in Nigeria

Elo Edremoda

Bad policies and governments poor attitude to waste management has been identified as "true" factors influencing waste, especially, plastic pollution, in Nigeria.

These topped discuss at a lecture held to mark World Environmental Day, which was themed 'Beat Plastic Pollution' at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) on Tuesday, June 5.

The event organised by the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) PTI Students' Chapter decried the failure of recycling the waste products in Nigeria, even though poorer countries like Ethiopia, Kenya have devised means to curtailing and preventing plastic dumps.

Group photo of the speaker Mr. Paul Akporowho, Dr. Silas Agada, patron of the association, alongside members of NES PTI students chapter

According to immediate past national secretary of NES, Mr. Paul Akporowho, who enlightened the students on the hazard of plastic pollution, about a 100,000 marine mammals die every year due to improper disposal of plastic wastes.

He added that there are already predictions that by 2050, if the current trend continues there will be more plastic wastes than fishes.

Stating that Nigeria has all the privileges to ban plastic bags which contribute at the least, 40%, considering it use for packaging, of plastic pollution, he pointed that not only are aquatic lives been affected, the menace is leading to loss of revenue.

Describing it as a "global battle", he revealed that as many as 500 billion plastic bags are produced yearly.

Akporowho in response to a student question
curtailing plastic waste in unpalatable government systems urged)

"When there is no consistency in policies, it chases foreign investors away. Stop blaming your background, stop pointing accusing fingers at government because some people also emerged from these poor laws, governments and backgrounds.

"If you wait for government to change, you will grow old and regret that you did not make efforts."

However, he listed possible solutions such as sorting, segregation, shredding, provision of bailing machines, creative reuse of plastic wastes as ways to tackle the problem.

Patron of the students association, Dr. Silas Agada told the students to see plastic wastes as raw materials.

Agada while noting that these wastes could be used creatively, charged students thus: "It is your innovation that will drive the policy of government. This attitude of drink and drop should stop."