Mrs Akeredolu calls for collective action to curb plastic pollution

The wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, on Tuesday called for collective action by citizens to curb plastic pollution in the country.

Akeredolu made the call at the 2018 World Environment Day celebration and inauguration of the newly constructed borehole and toilet facilities in Ilu-Abo, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The theme of 2018 World Environment Day celebration is “Beat Plastic Pollution.’’

She said the theme was apt as plastic pollution had become one of the most critical environmental problems today.

According to her, there is need to raise awareness on effective waste management paying special attention to proper sorting of wastes before disposal.

“Public building, homes, offices, schools and markets must imbibe the culture of separating degradable wastes from recyclables such as plastics.

“This can easily be done by provision of colour coded waste bins at designated locations like we are doing today in Ilu-Abo High School.

“We need to discourage the consumption of single use items. The UN maxim for plastic pollution says “if you can’t reuse it, refuse it.

“Reusing means that we can reduce the amount of plastic and other wastes that find their way directly to dump sites or are left littering our surrounding,’’ she said.

Akeredolu noted that tackling plastic pollution involves the active engagement of children and youths through behavioural intervention.

She said that the initiative would no doubt end open defecation in Ilu-Abo high school.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Funso Esan, lauded Akeredolu for bringing succour to children.

Esan said that the initiative would curb any child transmitted diseases through the fecal oral routes to includes diarorhoea, cholera and dysentery.