A health and environmental consultant, Dr. Obi Anyadiegwu, has attributed the increasing cases of cancer, liver diseases, and deformities among babies to hazardous emissions from factories in major Nigerian cities.
Anyadiegwu, a chartered environmental specialist and medical doctor, made this revelation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during a specialized workshop organized by the GEF-UNIDO project for the Bank of Industry and other stakeholders.
The workshop aimed to promote resource efficiency and cleaner production in Nigerian industries, reducing harmful emissions and environmental degradation. Anyadiegwu emphasized that industries must manage their activities to minimize emissions, which contribute to climate change, kidney and liver diseases, endocrine disorders, and birth deformities.
Industrial Emissions: A Growing Concern
Anyadiegwu cited examples of textile factories in Aba, oil industries in Port Harcourt, and fabrication activities in major cities, highlighting the devastating impact of industrial emissions on the environment and human health.
He commended the federal government’s efforts to protect the environment but stressed that more needs to be done to address the growing concern of industrial emissions. Anyadiegwu also called on organizations and industries to leverage assistance from the United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO) and seek global, regional, and local funding to support environmentally friendly projects.
The Way Forward
The expert emphasized the need for efficient and effective management of industrial activities to curb emissions and mitigate their harmful effects on human health and the environment. By promoting resource efficiency and cleaner production, Nigerian industries can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.