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By Paul Williams
As the Niger Delta grapples with impact of oil pollution, non-governmental organisation, OLEGH Centre for Community Development, has drawn stakeholders’ attention to the equally harmful incidence of air and plastic pollution in the region.
This was as countries across the globe marked the World Environment Day on June 5, 2025, with the message: ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’
Addressing representatives of communities across Rivers State, civil society actors and the media in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Executive Director of OLEGH Centre for Community Development, Henry Eferegbo, attributed the drastic drop in life expectancy in the Niger Delta – 41 to 42 years for men, and the growing incidence of cancer, partly to the mountains of plastic waste in the region’s waterways and channels.
Eferegbo said, “Plastic pollution has become an undeniable global crisis, threatening ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. From our oceans to our bodies, microplastics are infiltrating every corner of the planet, demanding immediate and concerted action.”
He said that in line with this year’s World Environment Day theme, OLEGH Centre for Community Development has undertaken significant initiatives to combat environmental degradation and promote a healthier planet.
Part of these initiatives, Eferegbo said, is the successful planting of trees in six schools across various communities by OLEGH, with the aim of fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among the younger generation.
“These tree-planting efforts contribute to carbon sequestration, improved air quality, and biodiversity.
“Building on this success, OLEGH Centre is further expanding its green footprint by distributing tree seedlings to community women. This initiative not only empowers women with the resources to contribute directly to environmental restoration but also promotes the growth of local green spaces, enhancing community resilience and well-being,” he said.
Eferegbo said, “The challenge of plastic pollution is immense, but it is a challenge we can overcome through collective action, Our tree-planting initiatives in schools and among community women are a testament to our belief that local actions, when multiplied, can create a global impact.
“We must all embrace the mantra of ‘Shared Challenge, Collective Action’ to protect our planet from the pervasive threat of plastic.”
He reminded participants that “Plastic also pollutes beyond just being littered. Toxic chemicals leak out of plastic into the environment. These chemicals are now in the blood of nearly every person on Earth, even the unborn. Some are known or suspected of causing a broad range of health problems including birth defects and brain damage.
“A new research by American College of Cardiology led by S.R Ponnana ( 2025) said once in the human body, microplastics can lead to chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and even stroke.”
He urged individuals, businesses, and governments to adopt sustainable practices, reduce plastic consumption, and champion innovative solutions for waste management, adding that OLEGH Centre is committed to educating and mobilizing communities towards a healthier and plastic-free future.
Resource person at the event, Amb. Tombari Dumka-Kote, acknowledged the role of citizens and the government in reducing, even ending plastic pollution.
He however noted that governments in the Niger Delta, particularly Rivers State, “need to urgently revamp our waste recycling plants.
“The flood we are complaining about today is as a result of the disposal of plastics into our drainage system. If you go to the creeks and rivers you see that plastic has also contributed to the boat mishaps we are now having,” he said.
Dumka-Kote further urged governments to create enabling environment for intending persons and entities to invest in waste management.
He noted that well planned waste to wealth scheme, with room for the private sector to invest, would not only clean up the environment, but also generate wealth for government and individuals.
Community women present at the event, commended OLEGH for taking up the initiative to build community awareness on the dangers of plastic pollution, especially on the waterways.
Lezina Patrick, from Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, urged OLEGH to promote advocacy for government to return to the monthly sanitation exercise in the state, in a bid to clean up the mountains of refuse on the streets. While Sheidun Remi called on the organisation to ensure knowledge and awareness around plastic pollution reaches the average person in the communities.
