NGO Evacuates Solid Wastes in Parts of Delta State to Mark 2022 World Environment Day

On Wednesday June 1, 2022, a prominent NGO in Delta State advocating for environmental sustainability in Nigeria, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, collaborated with Delta State Civil Societies Forum, DELCOF, the umbrella body of all CSOs in Delta State, to evacuate solid wastes from the popular Enerhen Junction in Uvwie LGA, to the ever busy Igbudu Market area in Warri South LGA, both of Delta State to mark the 2022 World Environment Day, tagged "Only One Earth."

The exercise was led by the National Coordinator/CEO of CEPEJ, Comrade, (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, supported by a representative of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Mr. Godwin Agbiloko; and a member of the Delta State Civil Society Organisations Forum (DELCOF) board, Pastor Mrs. Bridget Afia.

Others present were Sanitarian Margaret Arukeke representing the Head of Department, Sanitarian Stella Mugbe from Warri South L.Govt, Sanitarian Okoloba Anthony Ufuoma representing the Head of Department, Sanitarian Mary Akpede of Uvwie L.Govt; Comrade Friday Ogede, SSA to the Governor on Community Development, amongst others, as well as many organizations and individuals. During the exercise, a trailer truck was used to collect wastes free of charge from residents along the way for and taken to disposal spots as a way of keeping the environment clean, while advocating for sustainable environment for healthy living and community development.

Chief Mulade and others sensitized the public and residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will ensure a disease-free environment, as well as help to protect the environment and the earth in general. They said a clean environment breeds a healthy nation, and advocated for a clean environment saying that evacuation of solid wastes from the environment will ensure an environment free from the outbreak of cholera, malaria, typhoid and other diseases caused by a dirty environment. Others who spoke to support cleaning of the environment in commemoration of the world environment day included Sanitarian Ufuoma from Uvwie, Sanitarian Margaret Arukeke representing the Head of Department, Sanitarian Stella Mugbe, Warri South LGA; Sanitarian Okoloba Anthony Ufuoma representing the Head of Department, Sanitarian Mary Akpede of Uvwie LGA; Mr. Godwin Agbiloko, from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR); Pastor Mrs. Bridget Afia, board member, Delta State Civil Society Organizations Forum (DELCOF), Nwachukwu Bekenawei Endurance, of Global Network for Children and Women Development; Mr. Dan Tonfawei, Programmes and Humanitarian Manager, CEPEJ; Comrade Friday Ogede, SSA to the Governor on Community Development, amongst others. The World Environment Day campaign which is celebrated every year on the 5th of June, was inaugurated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 during the opening of a special conference for the environment named, “Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.” This campaign was launched to raise global awareness among people about environmental issues, as well as take positive environmental actions, and to solve environmental problems by implementing new and effective plans in order to make the environment safe, secure and healthy for a better future.

Chief Mulade also used the opportunity to call on the State Government, the local government of Warri South, Warri South West and Uvwie, to embark on a regular sanitation exercise which will build consciousness in the citizens to make them carry out regular cleaning of the environment to prevent diseases. Highlight of the event was the free evacuation of residents' solid wastes into a PSP van, appreciation messages by residents and market women/men, L. Govt representatives, advocacy campaign by NGO representatives, individuals and group photographs.

CEPEJ's staff present during the sanitation exercise included the Corporate Manager, Administration and Accounts, Mrs. Agidi Tina; Programmes Manager, Environment, Humanitarian Services and Communication, Mr. Dan Tonfawei; the Logistics Manager, Mr. Dimeji Maruf; and the ICT Manager, Mr. Olatoke Olasupo.