Author: TAMUNOFINIARISA BROWN

By Omie D. Brown, P.R.O, FYC Environmental Committee

Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State — In a powerful show of environmental consciousness and community engagement, PREZICON Limited, in partnership with the Finima Youth Council (FYC) Environmental Committee, spearheaded a comprehensive cleanup exercise and awareness campaign on Tuesday to commemorate World Environment Day 2025. Themed “End Plastic Pollution”, the campaign emphasised the urgent need to address the growing environmental crisis posed by plastic waste in local communities and around the world.

The exercise was both symbolic and practical — aimed at educating the Finima populace about the dangers of plastic pollution while simultaneously taking tangible steps to reduce its presence in the community. The event commenced at the Finima Community Town Hall, with a brief sensitisation session led by environmental volunteers and youth leaders, before participants fanned out across the six zones of the community for a coordinated cleanup operation.

Mobilizing the Community: A Joint Force for Change

The initiative drew together a diverse group of participants, including youth leaders, community volunteers, PREZICON Ltd staff, and local market women. From early morning, volunteers gathered at the town hall, donning reflective vests, gloves, and cleanup gear. The campaign was strategically organised into two teams, each responsible for covering three zones of Finima — ensuring wide coverage and a more effective collection of plastic waste.

Armed with waste bags and collection tools, the volunteers moved through residential streets, public paths, and commercial hubs, most notably the Finima market. Throughout the day, the teams scavenged plastics from clogged gutters, sidewalks, and open spaces. The work was physically demanding, yet participants remained upbeat, chanting slogans and singing songs to keep the energy high and the atmosphere lively.

Community Turnout and Leadership Support

The level of participation and the enthusiasm displayed by the community underscored a growing environmental awareness among the people of Finima. Many residents, inspired by the sight of the organised teams, joined in spontaneously, while others came out to offer refreshments and moral support. Children peeked curiously from windows and doors, asking questions and learning first-hand about the value of keeping the environment clean.

In a significant gesture of support, the Production Manager (PM) of PREZICON Ltd made a surprise visit to the Finima Community Town Hall where the exercise had begun and where volunteers regrouped at the end of the campaign. Addressing the volunteers, the P.M. applauded the collaborative spirit of the cleanup, praised the residents of Finima for their hospitality, and emphasised PREZICON Ltd’s commitment to environmental sustainability in its host communities.

“This is not just a one-off campaign — it’s part of a broader commitment by PREZICON to ensure that our operations positively impact the environment and our communities. We are proud to partner with the Finima Youth Council in this cause,” the Production Manager said, drawing cheers and applause from the assembled crowd.

The Results: A Cleaner Finima and a Powerful Message

By the conclusion of the campaign in the late afternoon, the teams had successfully collected ten full bags of plastic waste, totalling 117.5 kilograms. These plastics, previously strewn across the community, would have otherwise ended up in waterways or contributed to further environmental degradation.

The recovered waste included plastic bottles, food wrappers, sachet water bags, nylon packaging materials, and other non-biodegradable pollutants. The results were not just quantitative but visual: previously littered pathways looked noticeably cleaner, and several gutters that had been clogged with plastic debris were cleared, improving drainage in the area.

Environmental Advocacy and Reflections from Leadership

At the closing of the event, a small debriefing and celebration were held back at the town hall. Music filled the air as volunteers relaxed after a day of hard work, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on the impact of their actions.

Addressing the gathering, Comrade Opara Henry Brown, Director of Environment for the Finima Youth Council, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of everyone involved. In a stirring speech, he highlighted the significance of the collaboration between the youth and corporate stakeholders.

“This campaign is proof that when we come together with a shared purpose, we can make real change. The volume of plastic waste we collected today is a wake-up call. We must do more to protect our environment — not just on World Environment Day, but every single day,” Comrade Brown stated.

He further commended the PREZICON Ltd team for their unwavering support and praised the staff and volunteers for the discipline, unity, and teamwork they demonstrated throughout the exercise.

“Our volunteers displayed not only commitment but also leadership,” he said. “The Environmental Committee was on the ground from start to finish, actively coordinating logistics and ensuring the smooth execution of the campaign. I am proud of what we have achieved here today.”

A Call for Sustainability and Ongoing Action

While the success of the cleanup was evident, speakers at the event also stressed that the work must continue. Several community leaders used the occasion to call for the establishment of regular sanitation drives, stronger waste management systems, and environmental education in schools to inculcate eco-conscious habits from a young age.

The FYC Environmental Committee revealed plans to collaborate further with local businesses, schools, and religious institutions to scale up awareness and implement a more robust waste collection and recycling system within Finima. Proposals are also in the pipeline for youth-led plastic repurposing projects that will convert waste materials into reusable items like eco-bricks and art installations.

Community Feedback and the Road Ahead

Residents interviewed during the event expressed satisfaction and hope. Mrs Janet Barikor, a long-time market vendor, said, “We’ve seen floods here because the gutters are blocked with nylons and bottles. What these young people did today gives us hope. It shows they care about the future.”

Similarly, Emmanuel Ibim, a student volunteer, shared his perspective: “It was hard work, but it felt good. I learnt a lot, and I know now that we can’t keep waiting for the government. We have to start in our communities.”

The general sentiment echoed a powerful truth — environmental preservation begins with local action, and partnerships like that between PREZICON Ltd and the FYC Environmental Committee are vital in driving such change.

Conclusion

The World Environment Day campaign in Finima was more than just a cleanup exercise; it was a bold step toward environmental responsibility, community ownership, and sustainable development. It showed that with the right will, even modest resources can create significant impact. In the words of one volunteer: “We may have only collected 117.5kg of plastic today, but the real weight of this effort is the message it sends — that Finima is rising for the environment.”

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Reported by:
Omie D. Brown
Public Relations Officer,
FYC Environmental Committee
On behalf of the Director of Environment, FYC (Comr. Opara Henry Brown)