The Ondo State Government on Friday commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for its role in tackling insecurity in the state.
Mr Sunday Akinwalire, State Commissioner for Environment, gave the commendation during the flag-off of Operation Clean Your Environment, organised by the NSCDC, Ondo Command, to mark the 2022 World Civil Defence Day celebration in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Civil Defence Day is annual event marked on March 1.
The theme of the event is “Civil Defence And Management of Displaced Populations In Face of Disasters And Crises; Role of Volunteers And The Fight Against Pandemic”.
He expressed the state government’s desire to continue to collaborate with the command in combating crime and criminality in the state and its environs.
Akinwalire, who explained that the programme was part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), said that it was imperative for everyone to see the environment as a general affair.
He commended the NSCDC for supporting environmental issues, saying that it was a welcome idea because it has become a global phenomenon.
“As you know that the environment is our life, to sustain it, we have to put all hands on deck to make sure our environment is not misused.
“So, as a government we cannot do without the security agencies, especially NSCDC, to support the government’s environmental law enforcement,” he said.
The commissioner, who pledged more of the government’s support for all security agencies in the state, said that environmental protection should be everyone’s priority.
Earlier, Dr Hammed Abodunrin, NSCDC State Commandant, who led the command on a walk, said Operation Clean Your Environment was to sensitise the general public on the health dangers of improper disposal of plastic wastes.
Abodunrin explained that the sensitisation programme was being carried out simultaneously in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that improper disposal of nylon and plastic wastes has contributed a lot of dangers in the environment.
“We notice that virtually all drainage especially in Akure, the state capital, has been taken over by plastic and nylon.
“They will not decompose until after 500 to 600 years, so, there is need for us to clear it and sensitise the general public.
“Also, about two third of the ocean bed has been occupied by plastic and nylon which is affecting the aquatic life.
“The government and members of the public need to take drastic measures to avoid unforeseen dangers in the society,” he said.(NAN)
