Agency Report

By Sani Idris

The Industrial Pollution Abatement Committee (IPAC), in collaboration with the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), has tasked industries on the need to deepen practices on protecting the environment from all forms of pollution.

At a one-day training workshop to commemorate the 2022 World Environment Day observed annually on June 5, IPAC and KEPA said the event was to reawaken the conciousness of industries on safer practices of production and waste management.

The theme of the year’s celebration is ‘Only One Earth’.

Presenting a paper, Prof. Paul Okonkwo, one of IPAC’s trustees, lamented that various environmental problems arising from the impact of human activities on environment are manifestations of the disharmony between development and environment.

He said this threatened destructions of the basis of development itself.

The tittle of the paper was “Environmental Sustainability and Industrial Pollution Control”.

Okonkwo stressed that the natural environment was man’s life support system that must be utilised and protected, adding that doing so formed the basis of concept of sustainable development.

He noted that development must be guided by ecological principles where the regenerative powers of nature would be enhanced and the carrying capacity of environment would be exceeded.

“There should be consciousness in management of environment, including it’s protection against the onslaught of man and his technology,” he said.

He advocated for reusing, reducing and recycling of waste materials where the need be.

He urged humans to reduce the use of fossil fuels by switching over to renewable energy like solar, to reduce emissions and in turn reduce air pollution.

Okonkwo called for reduction in the usage of individual vehicles by encouraging mass transportation to reduce harmful emissions to man’s existence.

“The air is obviously getting heated, there is visible climatic change, global warming is staring at us, the air and water, are being polluted, therefore, It’s a call to action to save the earth from imminent collapse,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of IPAC, Mr. Silas Mayekogbon, said IPAC was birthed by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Kaduna State Environmental

Protection Authority (KEPA) industries and other stakeholders in environment in the state.

He explained that IPAC as an NGO in Kaduna State, had made giant strides towards environmental protection and sustainability.

He noted that IPAC had been recognised by the National Council on Environment as a veritable model in National pursuit of sustainable development.

“Our aim is to promote sustainable industrial development through unflinching commitment of industrial organisations, government and all stakeholders towards pollution free industrial activities.

It also aims at adoption of clean and best available technologies and practices.

He restated the committment to industrial pollution-free environment through cooperation of all industrial organisations, government and

regulatory agencies to ensure world class best practices of exchange of information and ideas.

Also, the General Manager of KEPA, Hajia Maimuna Zakari, said as regulators, KEPA had been working to ensure quality of environments in the state.

Zakari, represented by Mr. Usman Lawal, explained that environmental sustainability, solid waste management was a critical action plan needed in ensuring polution-free environment.

“Solid waste evacuation and disposal requires a wholistic approach to ensure all the service providers are doing well on their task.

“We at KEPA are working tirelessly to ensure compliance and all the standards are complied with,” she said.

She advised the public to desist from dumping waste into running waters and drains, saying that the effects would always run back at the society in the long-run.

A participant, Hajia Bilkisu Abdu, the Head, Human Resources of NOCACCO Limited in Kaduna, a wire and cable producing company, said it always abides by the rules and regulations placed by environmental regulatory authorities.

“From our production and waste management, we are very careful of the outcomes because of the effects it will have on our environment.

“This training workshop has added to our knowledge, especially on the need to canvas and engage more in sensitisation and awareness to those who do not have the knowledge of the adverse effects of environmental polutions in our societies,” Abdu said.

Also, Mr. AbdulAziz Ayodele, Chairman of Panteka Market Industrial Development Association, said the workshop had enlightened them more on the essence of all hands to partake in reducing waste and stopping hazardous materials from entering the environment.

He called on individuals working in the automotive industries and market to step up and help reduce pollution.

“Reducing waste is good for the environment, it’s also beneficial for an auto shop’s bottom line as it helps to cut down on costs and wasted products.

He pledged to ensure maximum reduction of waste from the Panteka market, an automotive metal scrap business area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that IPAC’s membership cut across all industries in Kaduna’s environment, consultants, NGO’s, Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority and the Federal Ministry of Environment, among others.

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