By Obiabin Onukwugha
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have commended the Delta State government for its efforts towards promoting Zero Waste Initiative in the state.
The CSOs were reacting to the report of a Consultative Committee which was set up by the Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Commenting on the report, the CSOs noted that the Consultative Committee’s recommendations for waste segregation from source, sensitization on waste management, and the prerogative to work with transport workers, faith-based organizations, and government MDA’s will set the state as one of the first to take actionable steps towards Zero Waste, if implemented.
The Executive Director of CODAF, Richard Benin, while commending the initiative, called on the government to prioritize waste pickers inclusion in the process, stating that they are the waste management agents in the field.
According to him, this can be rightly achieved by establishing a Waste Pickers’ Association, to represent the interests of waste pickers and provide a platform for their voices to be heard.
“The state government can also develop and implement policies and regulations that recognize the role of waste pickers in waste management and provide them with legal protection, access to safety equipment, training, and social services, to improve their working conditions and livelihoods.
The place of public awareness and education campaigns to recognize the contributions of waste pickers and promote social inclusion is vital towards advancing the role of waste pickers in the waste management system,” Benin said.
On his part, the Clean Air Program Manager for Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternative (GAIA), Weyinmi Okotie, pointed out that the Delta State government can learn valuable lessons from Lagos State’s experience with waste management, emulating its policies towards the advancement of waste management, while ignoring policies that are detrimental to the environment.
He called on the Delta State government to explore alternative waste management strategies that prioritize sustainability, public health, and environmental protection, such as the reduction of methane emissions from the waste sector.
Okotie stated: “Research has shown that single-use plastics make up a larger percentage of the waste produced, with single-use plastic as a harmful waste material that poses environmental and health risks.”
The program manager called on the Delta State government to consider banning single-use plastics in the state, as a way of checking the plastic surge
A statement signed by the Media Consultant to the CSOs, Elvira Jordan, made available to NatureNews, therefore, called on the government to factor the recommendations of the committee into the state’s waste management plan.