As part of activities to mark World Environment Day, an NGO, Sterling One Foundation, and partners have carried out a clean-up exercise at Elegushi Beach to rid it of plastic waste.
The event, which took place on Saturday in Lagos, was in commemoration of World Environmental Day (WED).
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, said that plastics had become a threat to the environment, health, and sustainability of the earth.
Ibekwe said that the theme of the 2023 WED – “Solutions to Plastic Pollution”, called for collaborative action from governments, businesses, and individuals to work together to put an end to plastic pollution.
She said that the foundation was delighted in joining its partners who love and care for the environment to ensure that Elegushi Beach was free of plastics.
“It is something that we have always prioritized at the Sterling One Foundation; we prioritise climate action, and one of the ways we ensure that we execute our programs is to adopt beaches for clean up in a sustainable way.
“Today we are commemorating WED with our partners. We are picking plastics from the oceanfront to ensure that they do not get into our oceans and be part of the plastic that reports say will be more than fish in the oceans by 2050.
“We are also here to sensitise the community on the need for us to be intentional about ensuring that plastic is not just looked at as waste, but also a resource that can go back into our economy and help in job creation and poverty reduction,” Ibekwe said.
She expressed gratitude to Sterling Bank and other partners who made the event worthwhile.
Also speaking, Dr Mobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, said that plastic pollution was a major challenge to the world.
Represented by Mr. Bolajii Osinowo, the Chief Scientist Officer in the Ministry, Gaji said that a minimum of 400 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated annually.
Gaji said that if the wastes were left unused, they find their way into drainages, and the wetlands causing challenges to the environment.
“It is advisable that we adopt the reduce, reuse, and recycle policy of the Lagos State Government on plastic waste.
“This will help to reduce the volume of plastic waste that we generate,” Gaji said.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed concern about the use of plastic chopping boards in the kitchen.
He said that over time, particles of plastic (micro/nano plastics) find their way to the food we eat, of which is harmful.
He added that the burning of plastics to light firewood or charcoal for cooking emits Green House Gases (GHG) into the atmosphere, causing climate change.
Also speaking, the Aroba of Ikate Kingdom, Chief Olalekan Bakare, called for a cleaner environment.
He expressed gratitude to partners and volunteers who came to help in cleaning the beach.
According to him, the Ikate Kingdom along the coast is one of the fastest-growing real estate areas in Lagos State with an increasing population.
“It is also very important that whilst we are making sure that the residents and businesses are safe, we also have to make sure that the environment is kept clean.
“It is very important to create awareness on waste disposal, recycling, and the importance of keeping the environment clean,” the royal father said.
