The Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Emmanuel Joseph Chukwudi, says the Imo State Government will soon sign Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with relevant environmental firm or agency to encourage recycling of waste materials into productive use in the state.
He stated this while speaking during the Commemoration of 2022 World Environment Day, held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square Owerri on Tuesday, pointing out that the celebration was differed on Tuesday because the event fell on Sunday which is not a working day.
The Commissioner, who hinted that the 3r administration led by Governor Hope Uzodimma is gearing up to restore the monthly sanitation exercise in the state to maintain environmental cleanliness, cautioned residents of Owerri against polluting the environment with debris.
Harping on massive tree planting in the state, the Chief Technical Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Environment, Barr. Willie Amadi, said government is making solid effort to plant over 600 trees in all facets of the state with a view to saving the environment from depletion, adding that the present government through the Urban Renewal Policy is designing measures that would enhance clean and safe environment.
“Some of the trees planted under Ikedi Ohakim administration which I supervised are still standing and giving out oxygen. Trees generate oxygen. More trees determine more green environment which helps to exude oxygen that strengthens healthy living. Hence government is making tangible effort to revive green and clean initiative via clean up exercise in the state”, Amadi maintained.
In his keynote address entitled “Making Peace With Nature Through Sustainable Living”, Professor Chris Obioma Nwoko, noted that the “World Environment Day emphasis that time is running out to bring people and nature back into balance. The campaign invites everyone to celebrate our Earth through collective action to address one or more aspects of the triple planetary emergency: climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, pollution and waste. Beyond what individuals can do , governments and business are best placed to leverage the power and finance needed to put up in place the policies and infrastructures for sustainable living”