Waste management: MINISTER UNVEILS REPORTS, SAYS NIGERIA GENERATES 1.5M TONES OF PLASTIC WASTE YEARLY

…..hails French govt partnership

By AKOR SYLVESTER-Abuja

In its resolve to turn all wastes to wealth and also curb the effect of pollution occasioned by plastic burning, the federal government yesterday,  unveiled the report on the Gap Analysis of the Solid Waste Management sector in Nigeria, Database User Guide Manual and National Roadmap on Solid Waste Management in Nigeria.

The effort was in partnership with the French government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Performing the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi said Nigeria generates  not less than 1.5 million tones of plastic wastes yearly, a situation he said required concerted efforts to tackle the development.

He said the report came at a time the country is battling with challenges faced as a result of poor Solid Waste Management.

According to the minister, “Nigeria, with a population of about 200 million people generates about 1.5million tones of plastic wastes every year of which less than 10% is recycled.

“The problem of pollution in the country is exacerbated by inadequate waste management infrastructure, poor behavioral attitude, unskilled waste collection workforce, indiscriminate dumping and burning of plastic wastes, poor awareness, inadequate funding.

“It is against this background that we welcome this Technical Assistance to support the Federal Management Framework on Solid Waste.

“The Technical Assistance is part of a series of actions being undertaken by the Government to address the challenges of Solid Waste in the Country in a holistic and sustainable manner, particularly in our quest for alternatives to drive investment in the right direction and support sustainable development objectives to which Nigeria subscribes”,.

The minister said that the Technical Assistance project which commenced in 2020, has attained all expected deliverables, including the engagement of National and Sub-National stakeholders for effective Solid Waste Management in Nigeria.

 He expressed satisfaction that, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the study was successfully carried out and validated by stakeholders.

The minister noted that the project has also delivered capacity building workshops for State and Federal level actors on; Waste collection and transportation Dumpsite Management Waste Recycling and Recovery Waste Wise Cities Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

He commended the Government of France for supporting the Technical Assistance, urging it to sustain the age long relationship.

He noted that ;”The representatives of Agence Francaise De Developpment (AFD) present here, is a testimony to the importance, the AFD attaches to this Technical Assistance and the level of partnership between the AFD and Federal Ministry of Environment.

“I believe that the partnership will continue in our quest to ensure sustainable development in Nigeria.

Speaking, the French Ambassador in Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, said the gesture was a result of the long relationship between the French government and the Nigerian government.

She commended the efforts of Nigeria through the ministry of Environment in ensuring that Wastes are managed properly in order to create more wealth.

The Ambassador said the French government is ready to assist Nigeria in achieving the feat and attaining zero emissions.