From Our Correspondent
The Anambra State Government has urged residents of the state to desist from acts capable of polluting the environment, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Felix Odimegwu said.
TheNewsZenith reports that Odimegwu made the call in a statement in Awka on Thursday.
He stated that the burning of tyres and other non-biodegradable materials was 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 is worse during festive seasons. 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.
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“These compounds are harmful to not only humans, but to plants, animals, and aquatic life. They also harm and deface the environment,” he said.
Odimegwu also stated that burning of non-biodegradable materials on tarred roads could hugely affect the durability of such roads.
“When you burn tyres on tarred roads, the emerging heat causes the binding molecules to disintegrate. This makes the roads go bad.
“We observed that most of the potholes in the city began from spots where tyres were burnt,” the commissioner stated.
According to him, a task force from the ministry has swung into action to track those involved in such practices.
“Anybody caught will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” he warned.
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