In its determined effort ensure the environment is habitable and sustainable, the Bayelsa State Government has concluded plans to kickstart the establishment of Plastic Banks and an Eco-laboratory projects.
To this end, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has directed the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Ministries of Land and Survey, Trade and Investment, the office of the Surveyor General of the State and the Acting Chief of Staff to workout a proper framework to kickstart these projects.
Diri gave the directive during the celebration of this year’s World Environment Day with the Theme: ” Solutions to Plastic Pollution” at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
According to him, the Prosperity Government will support efforts geared towards the sustainability and safety of the environment, adding that all will be done to rid our streets, drains, canals and rivers of the devastating menace of plastic as well as the provision of air quality monitoring services in places in the event of a critical emissions.
He noted that as part of measures to respond to the perennial flooding devastation and the negative impact of coastal erosion, the Prosperity Government established the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control.
His words: ” I fully support the idea of transforming waste to wealth. In appreciation of this policy direction, I call on the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment to forward a clear policy document on plastic waste management.
” Most appropriately, I hereby direct the Ministries of Lands and Survey, Trade and Investment, and the office of the Surveyor General of the State and the Acting Chief of Staff to support and collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to develop a proper framework to kickstart the Plastic Bank Project without delay.
” Joint recommendations for this project should reach my desk not later than one month from today. The Ministry of Environment should coordinate the meetings in conjunction with the Acting Chief of Staff. We must get rid of every singe plastic off our streets, off our drains and off our canals and rivers, and support efforts aimed at reducing our plastic footprints.
” We appreciate the fact that plastics clog our drains and contribute to the incidence of flooding in our State. To those who stay in lower plains and most likely to be affected by the floods, you don’t need anyone to tell you that early preparations and evacuation saves life and property. In order not to be reactionary, I would like to use this medium to direct last year’s Post flood management Team (?) to draw up plans for flood preparedness and response.
” Concerning the Eco-laboratory, my commitment remains the same. I have given my word, and further direct the Ministry of lands and Office of the Surveyor General to expedite action on the acquisition of land for the project. I demand feedback on this not later than two weeks from now.
” Last month, precisely on May 12, 2023 as part of strategy to properly manage flood and erosion in the State, I have established a Directorate on Flood and Erosion Control, in response to the perennial flood devastation and the impact of coastal erosion in the state.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri had requested the approval of Governor Douye Diri for the establishment of a Plastic Banks at designeated centres and an Eco-laboratory.
Gbaranbiri said the Plastic Banks is expected to serve as a repository of all plastic materials and ensure that plastic are prevented from littering the environment, while the Eco-laboratory will serve to monitor the quality of air we breathe.
He noted that the Ministry of Environment has forwarded to the Bayelsa Assembly for passage in to law the Bayelsa State Environment, Management and Protection Bill and the Bayelsa State Forestry Bill.
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