As the World marks Ocean Day today, the need to protect the ocean from toxic materials and other pollutants especially in Riverine communities of the South South region of Nigeria, has been emphasized.
An Environmentalist, Mr. Ngere Abere who is a member of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria WAMASON stated this in a message to mark the 2026 World Ocean Day; which has the theme, Reimagine beyond the world we know; a new relationship with our ocean.
Coming from a riverine community in Rivers State, Mr. Abere observes that unfortunately, human pressures are taking significant toll on the world’s oceans and seas with indiscriminate wastes discharged on them.
He said, “Concerning wastes generally, the South-South has been so bastardized by the way and manner all of us treat our environment especially our Riverine Areas. There is hardly any waterfront that you go that you will not see heaps of debris of used canned plastics and all of that. And we keep complaining about flooding which has been a menace. There is hardly any community that is exempted.”
The Environmentalist urges individuals, governments and the private sector to rise to the challenge to tackle the menace which poses great threat to the fishes and other aquatic lives.
“Heaven knows what has been happening to our Oceans. Sometimes, you see batches of aquatic lives floating on water, nobody killed them, rather, the rubbish we have dumbed into the water. A lot of us end our toxic activities inside our water because we know who knows who and nobody is being held responsible. Protect our aquatic lives from toxic wastes.”
This year’s Ocean Day focuses on establishing legally recognized Marine Protected Areas, expanding highly protected ocean zones, and achieving the global conservation goal.
According to a United Nations report, the ocean covers over 70% of the planet, produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen and it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity as well as the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world
