A Non-Governmental Organisation, Standup for Women Society (SWS), Rivers Chapter, has urged residents to strive for zero plastic pollution in the state.
The South-South Vice President, SWS, Mrs Anne Anyaka, made the call during a sensitisation programme of the group to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day in Port Harcourt, on Monday.
Anyaka emphasised the importance of the theme of the day “Beat Plastic Pollution” citing proper waste disposal as a key to zero environmental pollution in the country.
She said the programme was aimed at educating drivers, passengers and hair stylists doing business at the Abali Indigenous Park on proper way of disposing waste without polluting the drainages, sea ways and ocean.
“Our aim is to educate women and park users on proper waste disposal methods, particularly non-biodegradable items like plastics.
“We are raising awareness on the negative impact of improper waste disposal on the environment, such as suffocating the fishes and other aquatic lives in the sea, and blocking of drainages.
“Research has it that we will have more plastic than fishes in our oceans by the year 2050; this news is not good at all because it means food insecurity and scarcity of aquatic habitats, and more casualties on sea transportation.
“We are sweeping and packing the waste into the waste disposal bags to show them how to dispose the plastic cans, nylon and waste artificial hair products without blocking our seas and drainages,” she said.
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Anyaka said that the women were excited about the outreach, but noted their challenges which include lack of waste disposal cans or bags to park the waste.
“They have told us that they need permanent waste disposal cans. We will plan for the provision in our next outreach, but we are calling on the park management to provide alternative waste disposal bags for their use.
“We believe that this outreach will make positive impact in the lives of the citizens who use the park for business because cleanliness and environmental sustainability is the key to zero environmental pollution,” she said.
Mrs Ednah Adigwe, the Chairperson, SWS, Rivers Chapter, commended the women hair stylists at the park for being independent, and useful to the society.
She enjoined them not to allow anyone undermine them, or make them feel inferior whether in their homes or work places.
She advised them to speak out against abuse and exploitation, with the assurance that the association would provide support and advocacy.
“We are here to also ask for your support to help keep our environment clean and safe for all. If you maintain the culture of cleaning, this park will be clean and healthy for your stay,” she said.
Adigwe, on behalf of the group, presented brooms, dust packs, disposal bags and hand gloves to the women for the cleaning of their business environment.
Responding, Silvia Ubani, one of the Abali Indigenous Park Women Executives, expressed gratitude to the SWS Rivers Chapter for promoting environmental awareness at their businesses area.
Ubani said that the importance of maintaining a clean environment cannot be overemphasised.
She pledged on behalf of the women to join in the campaign against plastic pollution in the state and country at large.