A group of environment activists, on the platform of the One Environment initiative, has called on the government and private sector to promote safe environment practices.
The group, which made the urge at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said there was a need for the enhanced participation by both sectors to ensure a safer and sustainable environment.
Speaking , Mr Ifesinachi Nwanyanwu, Executive Director of the Environmental Art Collective Foundation said there was need for government to put in place policies that would promote sustainable practices.
“I cannot say the government is doing one hundred per cent to support environment issue but they are doing things.
“There are policies that could be put in place to help reduce the damages to the environment, like putting a ban on polythene bags and coming with safer alternatives to packaging goods people buy, like paper bag.
“There are several policies that can be put in place that would be in line with global practices,” he said.
Ms. Olufunto Boroffice, Managing Director of Chanja Datti, a waste recycling company, urged government to review its process of policy implementation.
Boroffice also urged private companies to enhance their corporate social responsibilities by encouraging practices that are environment friendly.
“Enforcement of policies in Nigeria has always been a challenge and the government can do more on enforcing regulations on ground.
“Government should do more to ensure that companies adopt environmentally sustainable practices and with effective implementation of policies, companies found wanting are made to face penalties.
She added that effective implementation of policies by government would also prevent corrupt practices by parties that do not comply.
Also speaking, Ms. Zainab Akwanga, Director of AgriCoolTure and NGO, said there was also a need for the government and private sectors to introduce environment-based extra curricula activities in schools across the country.
Akwanga said that stakeholders needed to enhance cooperation to promote environmental sustainability and also contribute to the economic diversification programme of the present administration.
“We necessarily do not need to wait for the government to make the move.
“When we include safe environment practices in schools’ extra curricula activities we empower children to take the initiative on best and safe practices on the environment.
“The Ministry of environment should not only be our point of focus; we need to get other ministries, departments and agencies on board because managing our environment through safe practices is a business opportunity.
“This is good for Nigeria as we are looking to diversify our economy,” she said.