Olu Samuel

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has raised awareness on the danger of plastic waste, and the need for its effective management.

In commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED) 2025, with the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”, N-HYPPADEC organised an awareness campaign on Thursday and distributed 1000 seedlings to GYB Model Science School and royal fathers in Lokoja.

The Ag. Managing Director/CEO of N-HYPPADEC, Dr. Jimoh Gobi, emphasised the need for collective action to beat plastic pollution, which poses significant threats to the environment, human health, and the economy.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to building environmental resilience in power-producing areas and its initiatives to mitigate the impact of plastic waste.

Gobi noted that N-HYPPADEC has launched several eco-friendly initiatives, including the construction of flood control structures, establishment of tree seedlings nurseries, and desilting of blocked drainages and culverts.

He added that the commission was also promoting sustainable energy use and reducing pressure on the environment through its Solar-Powered Borehole Projects.

“We have construction of Flood Control Structures in Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and other vulnerable locations, mitigating the impact of recurring floods and ensuring safer communities.

“We have established of Tree Seedlings Nurseries in all the 10 N-HYPPADEC states, each with a production capacity of 1 million seedlings annually.

“We are also set to flag off our massive Desilting and Evacuation of Blocked Drainages and Culverts—covering 348,223 Linear Meters across the 10 N-HYPPADEC states, to prevent township flooding and improve water flow in key communities,” Gobi said.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Monday Anyebe, representing Governor Ahmed Ododo, thanked N-HYPPADEC for choosing to hold the environmental day in schools.

The governor stressed that the initiative would inculcate effective waste disposal and management practices in the younger generations.

Also speaking, Dr Ekele Ochedi, the Chairman, Nigerian Environmental Society, Kogi chapter, stressed that plastic pollution has become a global challenge as it permeated every part of the planet.

Ochedi called for global collective action to combat plastic pollution, noting that a study revealed that there will be more plastics in the oceans than fishes by 2050.

The monarch, Maigari of Lokoja, Alh. Ibrahim Gambo, who represented by Etsu Andankolo, Chief David Agbayi, also called for collaborative efforts to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal in Lokoja metropolis.

The guest speaker, Prof. Salihu Musa, from Federal University Lokoja, highlighted the devastating impact of plastic waste on the environment, human health, and the economy.

Musa recommended banning and regulating harmful plastics, strengthening recycling infrastructure, incentivizing innovation, education, and empowerment, and fostering public-private partnerships.

The highlight of the event was the flagging off of the 2025 tree planting initiative, drainage desiltation and evacuation, Flood early warning campaign, and distribution of 1000 tree seedlings.

The N-HYPPADEC MD/CEO led dignitaries in a symbolic tree planting exercise within the school premises.