Enugu: Group tasks govt, others on waste management, tree planting
By Ikenna Ugwu, Enugu
A network of young environment enthusiasts and activists under the umbrella name Green Environment Network, Enugu (GRENE) has asked Enugu state government to show more commitment to protecting and preserving the environment by implementing effective waste management policies, planting more trees and sensitising the public on issues of the environment.
The Network made the call through her coordinator, Dr. Daniel Ugwu during a Green Hangout held at the Unity Park, Enugu.
According to Ugwu, the Green Hangout event was the second edition since the founding of the Network in 2019.
He said it has become an annual event where the Network shares her activities with government and stakeholders and to strategise and consolidate on her successes.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, represented by Head of Department, Climate Change, Mr. Arum Nnamdi, congratulated the Network for the great inroads it has made so far.
He also urged young people to take active interest in issues that concerns the environment.
Arum expressed the passion and support of the commissioner to the Network.
He therefore pledged to ensure that the GRENE is represented at the 26th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) happening in Glasgow, Scotland later in November.
The event engaged participants to share ideas on the pathways to a clean and green Enugu.
In a report made available to the media by the network, some of the key ideas identified as pathways to a clean and green Enugu include but not limited to improved tree planting, waste management, climate smart agriculture, social engineering, recycling among others.
One of participants at the event, Ifeanyi Ohanyere, a researcher and sustainability enthusiasts noted that “as much as we are trying to convince people to be more responsible in terms of waste management, the onus lies on government to ensure that there’s proper waste infrastructure such as waste bins strategically positioned one does not have to travel miles to relief himself of waste materials.”
Also, co-founder of GreenAxis, a recycling company in the state, Mrs Oge Benard stressed that we need to plant more trees to be able to cope with the amount of carbon being released into the air. “Trees are the oxygen we have in the environment and so we need to plant more trees”, she said.
Participants also had time to network, play games and catch fun.
The event was generously supported by iServe2050, Eleven Eleven Twelve and Shareyourself.
