The federal government has collaborated with the European Union (EU) for the effective cleanup of Jabi Lake to ensure a healthy and safe environment in the FCT.

The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, supervised the exercise in collaboration with some EU officials on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Abdullahi said that the exercise was to commemorate World Environment Day (WED), with a theme: “#OnlyOneEarth’ Together We can Protect it.”

Represented by Stanley Jonah, the director, Planning, Research and Statistics of the ministry, Mr Abdullahi said the exercise was aimed to create awareness by educating people on the dangers of not keeping the environment clean.

“Whatever thing that can be humanly done through policies and other possible measures to ensure that this earth is habitable without delay, such effort should be put in place.

“Our environment 50 years ago is still ravaging, Nigerians are not exclusive in this act, the environmental challenges are obvious in market places, schools, offices, sea everywhere,” he said.

The minister thanked the EU officials and other developed countries for their collaboration and immense support in ensuring that the environment was healthy and safe.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, expressed worries over indiscriminate waste, especially plastic, adding that such would be a major threat if not properly managed.

She called on FCT residents to ensure that the lake was kept clean and healthy for its sustainability and the safety of people.

World Environment Day has been held annually on June 5 since 1973.

(NAN)