DELTA State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy to enforce compliance of all environmental regulations in the state waterways.
Chairman, Taskforce on Environment in the state, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni gave the assurance on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta in Warri, Commodore Semiu Adepegba.
Addressing the Commanding Officer NNS Delta, Oromoni said the essence of the visit was to collaborate with the Navy so as to enforce compliance of all the environmental regulations along the waterways.
According to the Chairman, control and monitoring of ships is important for prevention of marine pollution (MARPOL) and also allows improving the rules of prevention of pollution itself.
“Oil pollution is recognized as a major environmental problem.
“Already, many countries have adopted national legislation in order to control the trans-shipment of oil in its territorial waters,” Oromoni said.
Responding, the Commanding Officer NNS Delta, Commodore Semiu Adepegba, said public health cannot be taken for granted by any government.
According to him, early prevention, which is relatively inexpensive, can prevent dire and expensive healthcare problems later in life.
He called on the government to take responsibilities for public health beyond voluntary activities and services, to include additional authorities such as quarantine, mandatory immunization laws, and regulatory authorities.
Adepegba, stated that government should also, partner with the police to enforce compliance on environmental issues on land, assuring of the readness of the Navy to live up to expectations on issues that have to do with the riverine areas.
He further encouraged residents to do things that benefit their health or create conditions to promote good health, and requiring certain actions such as food safety.
High point of the visit was a presentation of plague to the State Taskforce Chairman, Oromoni, by the NNS Delta Commander.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Sir Igho Akpojotor, his counterpart in Environment, Chief Peter Abugewa, Comr. Kingsley Iweka, Coordinator Delta Central and South and the Supervisor Uvwie local Government area were among those who accompanied the State Taskforce Chairman on the visit.
