The Rivers State Chapter of Standup for Women Society (SWS), a non-governmental organisation, has called on 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 this year’s theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” citing proper waste disposal as a key to zero environmental pollution in the country.
Zero Plastic Pollution Sensitisation
She said the programme was aimed at educating drivers, passengers and hair stylists doing business at the Abali Indigenous Park on waste waste disposal methods particularly non-biodegradable items like plastics, without polluting drainages, sea ways and ocean.
According to her, the group was 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. She explained.
She said the reason they were packing the waste into the waste disposal bags was to show them how to dispose the plastic cans, nylon and waste artificial hair products without blocking our seas and drainages.
Anyaka said that though the women were excited about the outreach, they had lack of waste disposal cans or bags to park the waste as challenge
According to Anyaka, “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.
The Vice-President Standup for Women Society said they believe that the 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.
Abuse and Exploitation
The Chairperson, SWS, Rivers Chapter, Mrs Ednah Adigwe, on her part 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, presented brooms, dust packs, disposal bags and hand gloves to the women for the cleaning of their business environment on behalf of the group.
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.
