By Kingsley Adegboye

As part of activities marking the 2025 World Environment Day, the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Jamani Ejiro, has called on residents of the state to take concrete and sustained action towards ending plastic pollution.

Speaking during a commemorative event in Asaba, that included a road walk from the Prof. Chike Edozie Secretariat to Akpu Junction, Mr Jamani described the celebration as a global “Earth Check-up Day,” initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to encourage individuals, communities, and governments to actively work towards preserving and restoring the natural environment.

This year’s theme is “Ending Plastic Pollution” and it highlights how plastics waste has infiltrated into every corner of our world- from the ocean and the coastlines, to the food we eat, Jamani said.

“This is therefore; a wake-up call and we must act now and not just muse,” he noted, saying plastic pollution poses both climate and health risks, with micro plastics found in human bodies.

According to him, “it is therefore imperative that as nations negotiate a global plastics treaty, the campaign should showcase solutions such as biodegradable materials and advanced recycling systems to inspire urgent change and work towards a future world free from plastic waste, “

Mr. Jamani encouraged households to segregate their waste at source into recyclables and biodegradable materials to ease proper disposal and support recycling efforts.

The Commissioner urged Deltans to align with the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, which prioritizes environmental sustainability.

Also speaking at the event, the functioning Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Godwin Enone, represented by the Director, Sanitation and Waste Management Department, Mrs. Francesca Atigan, said that this year’s theme placed emphasis on how plastic pollution could be addressed to sustain the environment for future generations.