The Commissioner for Environment in Anambra State, Mr Felix Odimegwu, has urged residents of the state to desist from acts capable of polluting the environment.
Odimegwu, who made the call in a statement in Awka, the state capital, on Thursday, January 4, 2024, stated that burning of tyres and other non-biodegradable materials were unfriendly to the environment.
According to him, the state government has observed that some residents have formed the habit of indulging in unhealthy environmental practices.
“It was worse during the festive season; we are urging the public to desist from this attitude. It is not in our interest,” he said.
The commissioner further said that toxic pollutants were significantly released into the air whenever non-biodegradable substances such as tyres were burnt.
“Toxic pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter are released into the atmosphere through burning of tyres.
“These compounds are very harmful to not only humans, but to plants, animals, and aquatic lives, they also harm and deface the environment,” he said.
Odimegwu also said that burning of non-biodegradable materials on tarred roads could hugely affect the durability of such roads.
“When tyres are burnt on tarred roads, the emerging heat causes the binding molecules to disintegrate, this making the roads to go bad.
“We have observed that most of the potholes in the city began from spots where tyres were burnt,” he said.
Odimegwu said that a taskforce from the ministry had already swung into action to track down those involved in such practices.
“Anybody caught will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” he warned.
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
