By Stanley Onyekwere
FCT residents have been implored to avoid the use of plastic materials or recycling them, in order to enjoy a healthy environment, and bequeath such to future generations.
In particular, residents are strongly encouraged to refuse the use of plastic; reduce and recycle plastic materials, so as to minimize amount of the deadly which finds its way into the environment and animal bodies, with a view to eliminating its usage.
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, made this call while speaking at a capacity building seminar, tagged, “nothing wasted”, in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme: “Nothing Wasted”, the FCDA boss, who pointed that the event was also organized to commemorate the World Environment Day, appealed to people to be mindful of the impacts of their activities on the environment, so as to leave “a safe and wholesome environment for the coming generations.”
According to him, the seminar was not a mere academic exercise but one that should “provide insights on practical guidelines in tandem with the mantra of sustainable development.”
The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Institutional Buildings, FCDA, Arch. Adebowale Olugbadebo Ademo, who doubles as Chairman of the in-house Capacity Building Committee pledged the FCDA’s commitment to bequeathing a world class city and liveable environment to Nigerians.
He said: “We are very consciouse of the need to ensure that design and construction processes being given deployed are sustainable and geared towards contributing to the ultimate dream of developing Abuja as a model city.”
Similarly, an Assistant Director, Interior Design, FCDA, Justina Enna Olisa explains: “We all live, work and play in the environment. It is important we maintain and sustain it. It is not only the farmlands, but it includes where we sleep, so it is important that it is comfortable and safe.
“We put safety, aesthetics and functionality in everything we do so plastic waste can be turned into beautiful interior and exterior designs. So the idea is, don’t look at everything as waste.”
Also speaking, representative of the USA Embassy in Nigeria at the event, Bella Ann Ndubuisi, disclosed that, on its part, the embassy recently launched a programme, Green Initiative, collaborating local organizations on recycling.
According to her, bags are provided to staff of the embassy who fill them with plastic materials and return to the embassy who hands them over to the organizations and funds generated thereof are used for scholarships to the needy.
She therefore charged the public to desist from using plastic bags for shopping, packaging and others.
Furthermore, another speaking, Ndubuisi Ahanonu of International Institution of Creative Development Centre, suggested called for concerted efforts and sensitisation of the people.
Ahanonu enjoined the members of the society to always sort their waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable so that the latter does not find its way into water bodies to kill aquatic animals.
Not left out, Mufu Onifade of the National Gallery of Arts, FCT, disclosed that his organization was working with encouraging the use of some of the waste into arts and creaticity.
Another participant, Arch. Anyibofu Ugbodoga of the New Culture Designs said that the seminar was important because it was about care for the environment.
