By Ojugbele Omotunde
The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Enugu State, Prof. Samuel Ugwu, has stated that the state government has introduced an environmental law passed by the State House of Assembly, to back up its activities and prevent environmental degradation across the state.
In a statement signed by the commissioner and released on Wednesday in Enugu, stated that the Enugu State House of Assembly passed the law to support the ministry’s operations.
He also said that the ministry has developed a policy on climate change to mitigate its socio-economic impacts in the state.
According to him, the policy outlines activities to be carried out within the context of climate change, focusing on weather, atmosphere, ecosystem, people’s lives, health, agriculture, and economy.
He noted that adverse effects on environmental degradation in the state are more significant on agriculture, water, and economic losses.
In addition, the commissioner stated that there is lack of knowledge about climate change among people of Enugu State, emphasizing the necessity for widespread education to mitigate its impact on the populace.
Ugwu added that The Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) is ensuring a clean environment in the state, with daily waste removal and sweepers working to maintain cleanliness, emphasizing that the ministry’s effective supervision has led to a clean environment for the entire state.
He also mentioned that although officers keep an eye on stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets to spot expired goods, the ministry’s environmental health unit tracks tree cutting and erosion throughout the state.
He counsel the populace to adopt a more environmentally conscious mind-set and work with Gov. Mbah’s government to safeguard the ecology.
As regards the state’s illicit mining problem, Ugwu said that the administration of Governor Mbah had placed ceilings on more than 20 unlawful mining sites, claiming that these operations were conducted without the state government’s approval or financial support.