The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled its plans to set up recycling plants in every local government area in the country, as part of its efforts to promote a circular economy and reduce environmental pollution.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, made this known in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, during the second edition of the Chemical Handlers and Users workshop, which was organised by the Ogun State Government and the State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA).
The workshop, which had the theme “Chemicals and Waste Management: Circular Solutions for a Sustainable Economy,” aimed to educate and sensitise the stakeholders on the best practices of handling and using chemicals and waste in a safe and sustainable manner.
Salako said the Federal Ministry of Environment, as part of its deliverables under the 8 presidential priority areas, is expected to start the full implementation of the circular economy roadmap for Nigeria this year.
He said the circular economy is a system that minimises waste and maximises the value of resources by designing products that can be reused, repaired, remanufactured or recycled.
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He listed some of the challenges that hinder the adoption of the circular economy in Nigeria, such as inadequate policy, legal and regulatory framework, insufficient funds, inadequate and unaffordable recycling technologies, lack of information on alternatives, low-level public awareness and inadequate data.
He said the ministry is taking proactive measures to overcome these challenges and promote sound circular economy principles and practices in the country.
Some of these measures include: strengthening relevant policies, and institutional and regulatory frameworks; building the capacity of manufacturers and producers to adopt cleaner production and circular economy in their operations; developing and implementing a waste-to-wealth entrepreneurship programme for the empowerment of the most vulnerable group in the society; putting in place a national plastic waste recycling programme aimed at establishing at least one plastic recycling plant in each of the 774 local government areas in the country; putting in place a community-based waste management programme that encourages the involvement of local communities in modern waste management practices such as waste sorting, segregation, composting and recycling; and raising consumer awareness around sustainable purchasing practices by increasing consumer demand for greener, safer and healthier services and products.
He said the workshop’s theme was in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is determined to achieve a clean, circular and buoyant economy for the nation.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said Ogun State, which is “progressively shaped by industrialization and increased waste generation, the responsible management of chemicals and waste has become paramount.”
He said the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) will continue to ensure that chemical wastes generated within and around the state are effectively managed to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the people and the ecosystem.
