NCF: Plastic Pollution Endangers Human Health, C’River Aquatic Sector

According to Emmanuel Owan, the head of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in Cross River State, the exceedingly high level of plastic pollution in the state is undermining human health and the state’s aquatic sector.

He expressed his concern in his address during a symposium to mark this year’s World Environment Day, themed: “Solution to Plastic Pollution”.

The conservationist deplored the high level of plastic waste across the state, saying most public places, gutters and even reserve areas are being inundated with waste.

He said plastic pollution has a carcinogenic effect on humans and we should be part of the solution and not the problem.

“Today, even the marine ecosystem is so polluted that you catch a fish today and you see plastic inside it; it is as terrible as that.

“Some of these things have a carcinogenic effect not just on the ecosystem but on we humans, who consume some of these aquatic animals.

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“I can tell you confidently and without contradiction that we need the environment more than the environment needs us.

“The World Environment Day has been put together to be able to inspire us to spread the message that the environment we have is just one earth and when we destroy it, we are invariably destroying human life. Let’s be part of the solution and not part of the pollution,” he said.

He said the commemoration is aimed at creating awareness among MDAs, students, and civil society groups about the need to protect the environment.

Also speaking, an official from the State Ministry of Environment, said environmental education should be mainstreamed as a subject so that students can learn at a tender age how to conserve the environment.

He also advocated for an integrated waste management policy in the state, adding that millions of Nigerians can be gainfully employed.

Over six ministries as well as development partners and students from several public schools participated in the symposium.

The symposium on plastic waste was preceded by a sensitization campaign organised by the Environmental Science Department of the University of Calabar in partnership with the NCF.