Joel Gomiyar (in the middle) with other members of MAHESD during the 2024 World Environment Day.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Plateau State Government has been asked to consider banning single-use plastics in the State as the waste generated by these plastics causes more havoc to the environment.
The appeal was made in Jos on Wednesday by a group, Media Action for Health, Environment and Sustainable Development, MAHESD, during the 2024 World Environment Day celebration.
This year’s celebration theme is ‘Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience’.
Joel Gomiyar, the Programme Officer of MAHESD stated, “Most of the environmental risks facing the State and the world at large are primarily caused by human activities. It therefore becomes evident that our actions have far-reaching consequences hence, the urgency in the call to address these environmental challenges.
“Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode hence the call on government at all levels, critical stakeholders, and all citizens to take immediate actions to preserve the environment by ending indiscriminate deforestation and habitat destruction, ending indiscriminate mining and land degradation, managing gully erosion, ending indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways, and addressing water pollution and contamination.
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“Environmental laws should be repealed to capture the conservation of biodiversity and pronounce stiffer penalties on violators. Government should consider waste sorting, and disposal as a business and key into it and also look into banning the use of single-use plastics in the State.”
He added that the media should intensify efforts at “raising awareness to educate the public about the environmental issues we face, advocate for, and embrace sustainable practices such as reducing waste, and conserving energy and push for policy changes by urging the government to implement policies that promote sustainable renewable and environmental protection.”
