By Hauwa Ali
Some environmental experts have expressed concern over lack of information on waste generation in the country, which, according to them, posed a major hindrance to having a proper waste management system across the country.
The experts bore their minds Monday, August 8, at a one-day sensitisation workshop on environmental protection organised in Asaba, Delta State capital.
The workshop theme: “Environmental Protection and Public Health”, was intended for Health, Safety and Environment Officers from selected institutions and companies in Delta State.
In a keynote address, the guest speaker, Dr Ijeoma Owamah, a Director, Academic Planning, Delta State University, Abraka, believed that adequate data would help provide relevant information to mitigate the effects of pollution and other harmful practices to the environment.
According to her the absence of data on waste generation would hinder the set up of proper waste management system.
“In most states in Nigeria, we have not started managing solid wastes.
“What we do is that we gather solid wastes from the domain of the rich and then take them to the domain of the poor.”
Environmental Management Consultant, Prof. Arthur Essaghah, also identified occupational safety and environmental health training as some measures to address the impact of industrial pollution to the environment.
Also, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr GodspowerAsiuwhu, said that the State Government was committed to supporting businesses in the state.
He urged companies and institutions to establish environment and health safety departments in their organisations.
“Training will give you the modern technique, the knowledge of what is happening, particularly the environment we operate as a company,” Asiuwhu said.
Also, the General Manager, Delta State Environmental Protection Agency (DELSEPA), Mr Victor Okolie, said that the workshop was organised to sensitise the participants on emerging environmental issues in the era of the coronavirus pandemic.
Okolie said that the programme was necessary in the effort to avoid environmental pollution with its attendant health hazards.
The workshop was attended by DELSEPA officers and civil society partners and representatives of the National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency, amongst others.
