Plastic pollution threatens mangroves in N’Delta, says HYPREP

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has expressed concerns that plastic pollution was an emerging threat to mangroves in the Niger Delta region.

It stated it would soon commence the shoreline clean up and mangrove restoration of oil-impacted areas in Ogoniland.

The Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, in his address to mark the 2023 World Environment Day, regretted that plastics do not only suffocate and kill mangrove biodiversity but also impact local livelihoods and compromises mangroves’ capacity to sequester and mitigate climate change.

According to him, a project with a mandate to remediate and restore oil-polluted ecosystems, HYPREP was positioned to offer solutions to plastic pollution, which synergistically mitigate the effects of hydrocarbon contamination.

“The 2023 WED commemoration which also marks the 50th World Environment Day celebration, presents a golden opportunity to deploy science, adapt innovation, and develop sustainable policies towards addressing environmental problems.

“HYPREP is about to commence shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration in Ogoniland. Recently, plastic pollution has been identified as an emerging threat to mangroves in the Niger Delta,” he noted.

In proffering solutions to plastic pollution flex in line with the 2023 WED theme, the HYPREP boss recommended a reduction in plastic production and consumption, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives and reusable products.