The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has decried the effect of plastic pollution on the aquatic system in Cross River State.
The head of the foundation in Cross River State, Emmanuel Owan, stated this during a symposium to mark this year’s World Environment Day which has as theme: Beat Plastic Pollution”.
According to Owan, plastic pollution has a carcinogenic effect on humans and we should be part of the solution and not the problem.
“Today, even the marine eco-system is so polluted that you catch a fish today and you see plastic inside it. It is as terrible as that.
“Some of these things have a carcinogenic effect not just on the ecosystem but on we humans who consume some of these aquatic animals.
“I can tell you confidently and without contradiction that we need the environment more than the environment needs us.
“The World Environment Day has been brought together to be able to inspire us to spread the message that the environment we have is just one earth and when we destroy it we are invariably destroying human life. Let’s be part of the solution and not part of the pollution,” he said.
He said the commemoration is aimed at creating sensitization among MDAs, students, civil society groups about the need to protect the environment because it has been inundated with so much plastic.
An official from the state Ministry of Environment, Francis Okey, said environmental education should be considered as a subject so that students can learn at a tender age how to conserve the environment.
He also called for integrated waste management policy in the state because it’s an area where millions of Nigerians can be gainfully employed.
Ministries, development partners and students from public schools participated in the symposium.