Don urges FG to establish laboratories for environmental issues

Ini Billie, Uyo

Soil and Environmental expert, Prof. Matthew Ekpo has urged the Federal Government to establish quality laboratories that would address environmental issues caused by oil spills.

Prof Ekpo, a professor of Soil/Environmental Microbiology, University of Uyo, made the recommendation in Uyo as the 107th inaugural lecturer while speaking on the topic: “Microbes, the Anonymous Heroes of the Vast Human Race.

Ekpo explained that the laboratories would serve as a “Quick Response Unit” to handle the process of bioremediation of the environment, especially in the Niger Delta Region, prone to frequent oil spills and its attendance damage to aquatic and soil ecosystems.

“Quality Environmental Laboratories should be set up in our nation as a “Quick Response Unit” to continuously handle the process of bioremediation of the environment, especially in the Niger Delta Region, where there is a regular and consistent reoccurrence of oil spill on both the aquatic and soil ecosystem,” Ekpo said.

Noting that microorganisms were important in human existence, the environmental expert recommended the establishment of a culture collection Centre in Nigerian universities.

He said the centre would enhance the storage and availability of many important micro-organisms strains for use in remediation and other scientific research.

“Though micro-organisms are ubiquitous, many have great potential to solve most of our problems. The establishment of the culture collection Centre in the University will enhance the storage and availability of many important strains for use in remediation and research,” he said.

He also called for proper legislation to check contamination of the ecosystem by manufacturing industries and oil exploring firms regarding the discharge of their effluent and waste into the environment.