Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Governor Chukwuma Soludo led Anambra State government through the Ministry of Environment on Thursday, 8th June 2023 kicked off the much anticipated All Anambra Community Plastic Recovery Challenge in Awka the Anambra State Capital.
Launching the Challenge during the Celebration of this year’s World Environment Day (WED), the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim said that the state cannot afford to lose further any part of the state land to environmental degradation and devastation, noting that erosion and flood had taken up many valuable spaces and should be retrieved through such challenge.
The State Number Two Citizen announced that the government had mapped out plans geared towards retrieving the land from the firm grip of gully erosion and flooding and they would leave no stone unturned in actualizing the target.
Dr Ibezim appreciated the state Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu and his team for working assiduously towards achieving Mr Governor’s mantra of Green, Clean and Sustainable Environment, even as he commended Anambra Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) taken the bull by the horn.
‘The Plastic Recovery Challenge will make a whole lot sense. It will not only give us a cleaner Environment it will also engage our youths meaningfully. It will keep Communities busy throughout the duration of the competition.
‘We are threatened by erosion and recently flooding owing to terrible activities of the people. We are reclaiming the whole river. People building on the waterways which is not right. A lot of work have been done in Onitsha. We cannot wait to be swept away by environmental hazards. I am happy seeing this event kicked off,’ he concluded.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment Anambra State, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu called on the citizens to take ownership and drive the process, noting that they would make money from the challenge at the end.
‘Apart from 1000000 Naira that will go to the winner of the challenge in each category, runner-up will receive the sum of 500,000 Naira while the second runner-up will take home the sum of 200000 Naira. It is a win-win situation for the communities. They will not only get the prized money they will equally received the money from the sale of the recovered plastic waste,’ the Commissioner said.
Engr Odimegwu announced that the challenge would last one month begining from today, 8th June to 7th July 2023, stating that there would be an incentive for all the participants. He urged Communities leaders to be alive to their responsibility and ensure that participate adequately in the challenge, emphasizing that Governor Soludo would keen to know those who performed exceedingly well.
In their separate speeches, the National President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Barr. Titus Akpudo, the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) , Sir Joseph Uchendu, the National Chairman of Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA), Ambassador, the ASATU National Youth Leader, Comrade Ken Okoli, the State Commander of of War Against Indiscipline ( WAI), Mr Francis Nwoye enjoined Ndi Anambra to keyed into what they described as laudable and money spinning project. They appreciated Gov Soludo through the Commissioner describing his administration as positive and impactful one.
Interactive session, questions and answers, refreshments formed the highpoints of the event