The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated the need for multisectoral effort and technological innovations to protect the environment, calling on stakeholders to continue to explore innovations to solve pressing environmental challenges.
The governor said this in commemoration of World Environment Day marked every year by the United Nations and its sister agencies.
In a statement, the governor noted that this year’s theme for the World Environment Day, Solutions to Plastic Pollution, is apt and relevant, as it stresses the increasing need for collective action to stem the menace of plastic pollution in the wake of rapid industrialization.
According to him: “As we mark the World Environment Day today, we are presented with another opportunity to review actions and efforts taken over the years to protect the environment, build alliances, deploy technological innovations and ensure that we leave this world better for unborn generations.
“The menace of plastic pollution is exacerbated by human activity and as we continue to grow, as urbanisation spreads and the industries continue to expand, the more we are likely to have plastic pollution.
“This is why we need to strengthen multi-sectoral efforts to address the challenges of plastic pollution.”
The governor noted that in Edo State, efforts are being intensified to build a coalition between local communities, Civil Society Organisations and government bodies to clean and green the environment and address environmental issues.
“We have deployed innovations such as a reward system to encourage the people to return plastics for recycling so that we reduce the footprints of plastic waste in our communities with the use of technology.”
“The scourge of plastic pollution is a visible threat that impacts every community around the world,” said Jean-Luc Assi, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development.“
As host of World Environment Day 2023, we welcome all sectors, from governments and businesses to civil society, to come together to find and champion solutions,” the UN said in a statement.
