From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organization, African Climate Reporters, has lamented the improper disposal of Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE), saying indescrimate disposal of these wastes on the streets and gutters will posed a health risk and major challenge to the environment.
This was contained in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday.
The Group stated that recent survey discovered that large numbers of used facemasks, gloves and hand sanitizer plastics littered the streets of Kaduna.
They therefore, cautioned that such wastes especially hand sanitizer plastics if not properly dispossd will in the short term cause pollution to the environment.
In his remarks, a science Climatologist, Dr. Piman Hoffman, harp on the need for the Federal, State Governments and stakeholders to raise campaign on ways to stem the tides.
He said wastes emanating from Covid-19 PPE is on the increase, and called for all hands to be on deck to educate, enlighten and sensitize the general public on dangers associated with improper disposal of these materials.
He feared that despite a temporary crash in carbon emissions as a result of lockdown which meant fewer people travelling and less industrial activities, there are concerns that the pandemic will divert government’s attention away from Green horn issues and the fight against desertification and climate change.
The Assistant Director of African Climate Reporters also said that citizens need to turn a new leaf and discontinue the attitude to avert the spread of wastes in the environment.
He added that the World Health Organization, (WHO) estimated 89 million medical masks will be required every month amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
