- stakeholders proffer solution
By Ifeoma ikem
Experts across different field of endeavour today brainstorm on how Nigeria can come out with possible solution to the agelong problem of pollution control ravaging the entire segment of the country.
The stakeholders met at the event on pollution control conference with the theme :”A global problem from a local perspective, held at Oriental hotel lekki phase 1 Lagos.
The conference put together by the Chief executive officer EMR consult Wunmi Ogunde who is also the convener attracted experts from different field spoke on the critical effects of pollution to human lives.
In her welcome address Wunmi, told the audience that,”the pollution menace in our country has gone on for so long hence, it is time for us to start asking the right questions, proposing solutions, engaging the right people and more importantly, start taking action which prompted the conference”.
According to her working on the environmental issue of this country and finding a long lasting solution into the pollution in Nigeria takes a special level of commitment and undying effort.
She explained that pollution menace have gone far, noting that a United Nations report shows that no fewer than 19.000 people died annually due to pollution.
One of the panelists at the event, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Ochonogor who is also the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) E-Terra technologies limited advised against the burning of cable wires in the mid hours of the night as act cause pollution which is hazard to human health.
According to him those involved in importing electronic waste into the country should be properly checked by government agencies as eighty percent of electronics imported into the country are dead on arrival.
Ochonogor, caution Nigerians on the use of energy saving bulbs as majority of the bulbs carries mercury which are toxic to human health.
He noted that everyone should join hand and use the electronic waste system to control pollution of electronic devices in the country.
Another speaker, Engr.Folashade Nubi,noted that Nigeria is the 10th most polluted country in the world with Kano State and Onitsha Anambra as the most affected.
She attributed pollution problem In Nigeria to the upsurge in population and industrialisation
Another speaker, Arese Lucia Ojedele, described pollution problem in Nigeria as very devastating,”a lot of companies are putting things in the environment then what are co-operate organisations doing to control the process, “she asked.
Arese, noted that dumping of refuse in locations of the country is a big problem as well as gas flaring which has caused a lot of problem to host communities living within the oil rich Niger Delta region and other cities in Nigeria.
Another panelists, Caleb Adebayo a legal practitioner said their are provisions in the constitution that provide legal backing in enforcing laws against pollution of Nigerian environment