Prince Biyi Poroye, Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has called on coastal communities not to contaminate the ocean with chemicals and idol gods to avoid health issues.
Poroye made the call during the beginning of a tree planting and ocean shoreline cleanup in Ondo State coastal communities on Monday in Ugbonla, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tree planting and ocean shoreline clean-up was organized by OSOPADEC in commemoration of United Nations World Ocean Day.
Poroye explained that the commission and state Ministry of Environment had earmarked on one-month climate resilience activities for the World Ocean Day.
He said the month-long programme of ocean resilience was necessary to address the severe climate hazards of ocean surge, sea incursion, submergence and near extinction of communities the state.
According to him, part of the one-month programme is the ocean shoreline cleanup, tree planting and sensitization exercises that we are doing today.
According to Poroye, the coastal communities should not contaminate the ocean in their effort to curb surges and sea incursions.
“I want our people to stop worshipping idol gods for solution as voodoo will not solve this ocean disaster caused by climate change.
“And please don’t contaminate the ocean with different chemicals in stopping the ocean surges as the chemical can spread across the world and cause serious health challenges,” he said.
The OSOPADEC chairman, therefore, called on the global world to collaborate with the commission, on its mandate to oversee the coastal oil producing region and ondo state government for more support
Also, Dr Tom Loko, state Commissioner For Environment, said deliberate actions should be taken to combat the menace of ocean climate in the riverine communities.
“Community leaders, youth organizations and other relevant stakeholders are implored to partner with the government in building resilience against climate change.
“Today is not just a mere celebration, but an assurance of hope, reaffirmation of the state commitment to bring succor to the coastal community people ravaged by sea incursion.
“On this World Ocean Day, we urge the people of the riverine areas to cultivate the habit of proper waste disposal, tree planting, cleanups of canals and surroundings,” he said.
Similarly, Ondo State Goodwill Ambassador For Environment, Olapeju Olayemi, called on the international community to collaborate with OSOPADEC for a solution to the ocean surge.
“We are inviting humanity to become active guardians of our blue planet rather than passive inheritors,” she said. (NAN)
