L-R: Registrar; VC; Engr. Bayo Kolade, Chairman of Occasion & Member, TU Governing Council; Engr. Joshua Idorenyin, representing Director of Energy & Mineral Resources; Ass. Prof Olanike Maria Buraimoh (UNILAG), Keynote Speaker.
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Dr Olanike Buraimoh of the department of Microbiology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has urged government to invest more in microbial degradation technology to curb plastic pollution in the country.
Microbial degradation is the activity of using microorganisms and their associated distinct enzyme systems to break down, degrade, detoxify, or convert environmental contaminants.
Buraimoh made the recommendation at an event organised by the Trinity University (TU), Yaba, to mark the 52nd World Environment Day with the theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”
She said the investment would minimise the impact on health and environment by converting chemically hazardous elements into non-toxic substances.
“Rivers, oceans and the air we breath are contaminated with microplastics, it releases toxic chemicals into the soil, water and contributes to climate change through fossil-fuels-based production.
“Microbial degradation of plastics offers significant environmental benefits, it conserves resources through eco-friendly breakdown and it can lead to potential cost savings in waste management.
“Essentially, it minimises impacts on the health of the people and the environment which can be achieved by converting chemical hazardous elements into non-toxic substances and lowering their levels,” she added.
Buraimoh commended the Lagos State Government for taking various steps to address plastic waste and encouraging use of eco-friendly alternatives.
Buraimoh also stressed the need for private sector participation to ensure the adoption of Extended Producers Responsibility.
Also speaking, Prof. Clement Kolawole, the Vice-Chancellor of TU, commended the guest lecturer for the informed lecture.
“It is fundamental to collectively do things that will eradicate the danger of plastic pollution.
We have been given several options that we can pursue, make researches and come up with journals.
“We are willing to begin to do things that are practically oriented to reduce the danger that plastic poses for the environment.
“As an institution, people in the biological sciences, and the field of biotechnology have to share their effort towards increasing their research activities in the area of plastic, its application and the dangers.
“Now, instead of cleaners picking our plastics and selling them, we now want to institute a body that will come to our university, pick plastics and process them so that we can also benefit from the economic side,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, charged the students of the institution to take charge their environment to end plastic pollution.
Ajayi said it had become necessary to involve students through proper education on waste management as agents of change.
“The agency has put in place recycling arrangements for reuse of plastics waste disposal. So, there is an economic value when people are recycling their plastics,” he said.
In his remark, Prof Abayomi Adetuyi, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical and Applied Sciences, the event host faculty, described plastic waste as a major environmental threat that requires proactive measures.
Adetuyi said the event was a deliberate step by the institution to consolidate on the global raising awareness and to proffer sustainable and real-time solutions to the issues.
“This year’s theme is a reminder of a crisis that touches every corner of the planet, the pervasive and growing threat of plastic waste in the environment as pollution,” Adetuyi said.
Similarly, Adebayo Adereti, Director of Energy & Mineral Resources, the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, enjoined the university to be intentional in research aimed at ending plastic pollution.
Adereti represented by the Deputy Director, Mr Joshua Idorenyin, said Nigerians must be more responsible with their environment. (NAN)