The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Tommy Jamani, gave the assurance during the celebration of the 2025 World Environment Day, with its theme: “Beat Plastic Solution: Addressing the Crisis and Innovating for a Sustainable Future, held at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.
The Honourable Commissioner, represented by the Functioning Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Godwin Enone, charged all stakeholders resident in the state to end plastic pollution in their environment and encourage recycling for gainful business ventures. He highlighted how plastics waste have infiltrated into “every corner of our world, from the ocean and the coastlines, to the food we eat”, saying the ministry under his leadership will continually promote sustainable environmental practices and advocacy to enable residents living in the state pick and package their plastics waste for recycling for further production of goods that will earn more money for them.
Hon. Jamani, in company of the Delta State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, and other heads of agencies in the ministry, implored residents not to see plastics as waste, saying it has become a flourishing business that Deltans should key into to generate money for themselves and give the state a cleaner and heathier environment. According to him, “you must take charge of your environment by creating two waste bins, one for plastics and the other one for dirt to make your environment cleaner and healthier at all times.
While appreciating Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, for approving the needed resources for the celebration of this year World Environment Day, as well as his total commitment to environmental sustainability of the MORE agenda of his administration in the state, Hon. Jamani, thanked environment partners and organizers for supporting this year celebration.
The State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji, who was, until her appointment, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, said even though the state government has done a lot in beating plastic pollution in the state, the drivers of the advocacy should do more in sensitizing the general public since the state has not gotten to her Eldorado yet, on adequate waste disposal and usage, saying plastics and other waste are still littered all over the place.
Dr. Oseji, said the provision of enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state by government is to encourage more recycling companies to join the business of plastics recycling in the state and expressed appreciation to already existing ones for their healthy partnership with the Ministry of Environment.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Patrick Oghenerhoro, in his paper presentation, titled: Mitigating the Effect of Plastic Pollution for a Sustenable Future, proffered a full transition to plastic circular economic business model, saying this will offer Nigerians a sustainable environment for the future.
The celebration was also attended by Delta State Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, and the highlights of the celebration were drama presentation to depict proper waste disposal practices and a road walk led by the Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Tommy Jamani, to enlighten and educate Deltans to end plastics pollution and encourage recycling in the state.
