Edo State Government said plans have been concluded for effective collection and conversion of wastes to useful purposes, including power generation.
Commissioner for Water and Energy Resources, Washington Osifo, said this in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, at an awareness campaign to mark this year’s World Rivers Day celebration with the theme: ‘Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities’.
Represented by Mr Emma Ofordu, the commissioner advised communities to imbibe the culture of avoiding indiscriminate dumping of wastes in rivers.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, appealed to residents of Ologbo community and environs in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State to collaborate with the body to preserve water bodies within its catchment areas.
Adekanmbi appealed to the people to stop harmful human practices that degraded quality of water on the Ossiomo River that flowed through the communities.
He said the organisation remained committed to the development of the rivers within its catchment area.
Adekanmbi said the collaboration with the communities was necessary to restore water quality due to several years of abuse that degraded the water quality resulting in low aquatic resources that supported life.
He appealed to the populace to maintain a clean and safe environmental culture that supported the health of rivers for the benefits of mankind.
Adekanmbi said the event was to draw global attention to the need for the communities to appreciate the usefulness of rivers in the sustenance of life.
According to him, ‘abuses as a result of harmful human activities, such as pollution, over extraction, damming, deforestation and climate change threaten their health and sustainability, thus causing great danger to human health and existence.
‘Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. They sustain ecosystems, provide water for agricultural and industrial use, support biodiversity, serve as vital sources of drinking water for billions of people worldwide. They also hold cultural, spiritual and recreational significance enriching lives of communities across the globe.’
Adekanmbi later planted some coconuts and palm fruits along the river bank as a symbolic commitment to preserving water bodies.