Bayelsa State Government’ has concluded plans to establish Plastic Waste Management Plant to tackle plastic waste.
Governor Douye Diri dropped the hint during this year’s World Environment Day, with it’s theme “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa. Governor Diri disclosed that the state government would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding MOU with industrial experts in plastic waste management.
The governor who was Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, the promised to liaise with the State House of Assembly for the expeditious passage of all environmental bills to tackle the problems of environmental abuses in the state.
Governor Diri who announced the formation of Council of Climate Change in the State to address issues of climate Change, stated that the team would be chaired by the State Commissioner for Environment while heads of relevant ministeries and agencies would be members.
He frowned at what he described as diversionary strategy of Multinational Oil companies and called on them to remediate the environment which they have polluted before exiting their operations in the Niger Delta.
The Governor appreciated President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mr. Ebitimi Amgbare as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta River Basin Authority and expressed hope that his appointment would herald efforts for the biodiversity of the River Delta.
In his welcome address, the Permanent secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Kurubo Uncle said that World Environment Day was established in 1972, by the United Nations Assembly to raise awareness of environment issues and encourage global action. Mr. Uncle identified illegal wildfire, air and plastic pollution, rise in sea-level/ocean surge as well as food security as some environment challenges which requires urgent attention, noting that these issues have serious impacts on the environment.
In their goodwill speeches, the representative of Ekeremor Constituency 2 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Chairman House committee on Environment, Mr Living Mitin and the Ibenanawie of Ekpetiama Kingdom and the Bayelsa State Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo as well as the former Technical Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Comrade Moris Alagoa called for collective action to protect the environment.
They observed that Bayelsa is heavily impacted by the effects of climate change, warning that hard times await the people of the state if urgent measures are not taken to check the degradation of the environment.
Delivering a lecture, the Vice Chancellor, University of African Toru-Orua, Professor Solomon Ebobrah noted that human agents and oil explorations by multinationals are the worst form of environmental pollution and called for urgent steps to be taken to address them.
The event featured cultural display, drama and award presentations . Also in attendance were Head of Service, Bayelsa State, Bar. Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles Onyema; Environmental Activist and immediate past Technical Adviser to the governor on Environment, Comr. Alagoa Morris; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Chairman Permanent Secretaries Forum, Dr Wilson Ebiye Sawyer; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Mr Felix Asingbi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity. Mr Hitler Dickson, representatives of various Environmental Organisations, amongst others.