*NatureNews publisher calls for plastics tax
*Youth, women must be involved – Sanusi
By Nneka Nwogwugwu, Hauwa Ali and Fatima Saka
In commemoration of the World Environment Day, NatureNews Africa publisher, Aliu Akoshile has tasked the companies using single-use plastics on tax payment.
Akoshile made this demand during a webinar organized by NatureNews Africa on Tuesday, June 6.
He said that the introduction of plastic tax will reduce plastic pollution and climate change.
NatureNews recalls that the federal government recently imposed a 10 per cent tax on the products.
The National Policy on Plastic Waste Management aims to reduce plastic waste generation in the environment by 50 per cent of its baseline figure of 2020 by 2025, to phase out single-use plastic bags and styrofoam by 2028, and to ensure that all plastic packaging in the market is recyclable or biodegradable by 2030.
Akoshile urged that since the federal government has introduced 10% tax, companies should adhere and implement payment.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Director General, Nigeria Country Office of the African Development Bank Group, Mr. Lamin Barrow, who was the keynote speaker, said that addressing plastic pollution requires multi-stakeholder partnerships between key actors, namely government, at both the federal and state levels, Industry, the private sector, youths and civil society.
According to him, Nigeria and other African countries must explore new strategies to control, if not entirely eliminate, single use plastic in our environment.
He explained that the United Nations General Assembly had declared World Environment Day in 1972 to raise public awareness on human activities and their unnatural occurrences and their impacts on our environment and since then, the World Environment Day has been celebrated on June 5th every year and especially underscoring the need to take positive actions, especially in the context of our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Plastic pollution continues to pose significant environmental challenges worldwide and in Nigerisa, Africa’s most populous nation is no exception.
“Indeed, plastic pollution ranks amongst the topmost environmental challenges in Nigeria, which is evident in the tons of plastic waste generated on a daily basis, particularly in our burgeoning cities and towns and urban settlements. The negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment are manifold.
“It is visible in the landfills, water bodies and public spaces and affects the ecosystems, communities and public health. It is imperative, therefore, that urgent and effective solutions are found to address this problem in Nigeria and across the continent.” Barrow said.
He said that to combat plastic pollution in Nigeria, on crucial solution, is raising public awareness and educating citizens about the environmental and health impacts of plastic waste through comprehensive campaigns, leveraging various communications platforms such as Naturenews workshops, and other educational programs.
According to him, individuals can be better sensitized to adopt environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, such as reducing, reuse, using and recycling plastic by highlighting the negative consequences of plastic pollution and providing viable alternatives.
“Awareness campaigns can inspire the behavioural changes and promote responsible plastic consumption.
“Strengthening partnerships with private sector actors, youth groups, non-governmental organizations and local communities will help accelerate actions to implement sustainable waste management practices and create job opportunities in which recycling and other viable solution is the use of biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics.” He said.
He also urged governments to enhance waste management systems because it is vital for effective plastic pollution control.
He advised the federal government of Nigeria to promote the production and distribution of environmentally friendly packaging materials made from biodegradable substances such as plant based polymers.
“Fiscal incentives and regulations can also be deployed to stimulate the adoption of biodegradable packaging by businesses, thereby reducing the demand for traditional plastics and lessening plastic pollution. Implementing strict regulations and bans on single use plastics is another effective measure that can be deployed to combat plastic pollution.” Barrow said.
He explained that theme chosen for this year’s World Environment Day is well aligned with the African Development Bank Group’s priorities, Specifically, the 2023 edition of the African Economic Outlook, which was recently launched at the bank group’s annual meetings held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, barely a week ago.
He said the event underscored the need for increased private sector participation in financing environmental and climate actions in Africa with a specific focus on the role of natural capital and application of circular economy approaches for efficient utilization of our environmental assets.
“A combination of hard and soft interventions along the plastics value chain is required in Nigeria and other African countries.
“The African Development Bank and key partners. Have rolled out Some flagship programs aimed at addressing plastic pollution in Africa through the circular economy approach. For instance, the Africa Circular Economy Alliance, otherwise known as ACEA, comprising of African countries, including Nigeria, is a collaborative platform to spur Africa’s transition to a circular economy.
“It Coordinates and links various plastic initiatives on the continent through the Africa Circular Economy Facility which is a multi-donor grant trust fund that will support the mainstreaming of the circular economy approach as an inclusive green growth strategy to help African nations fulfil their development aspirations while meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 is supporting the creation of institutional frameworks such as the Circular Economy Roadmap.
“To this end, we commend the federal government of Nigeria for supporting the development and implementation of the Nigeria Plastics Action Plan, which aims to address the plastic pollution in Nigeria, promote circular economy practices and provide a framework for stakeholder collaboration to tackle the problem of plastic waste.
“In this regard, Nigeria can learn, fom the experience of countries such as Rwanda that have successfully. Implemented such policies.
By prohibiting the production. Importation and distribution of certain plastic items such as plastic bags and straws, Nigeria can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated, simultaneously promoting the use of reusable alternatives such as cloth bags and stainless steel straws can help foster a culture of sustainability.
“The federal government of Nigeria and the states, for that matter, can further encourage industries to adopt sustainable practices and develop innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste through this through throughout the supply chains. Promoting corporate Social Responsibility. Supporting research and development of eco friendly packaging and establishing robust partnerships with organizations focused on sustainable development can further facilitate a more integrated approach to tackle this menace.” Barrow concluded.
The former Minister of Environment, Barr Mohammed Abdullahi also urged for legislation processes to be properly carried out to effect ban on plastic pollution.
He decried that one of the challenges encountered in the fight for plastic pollution ban is the implementation of policies.
He also highlighted his contributions as the former Minister of Environment in protecting the ecosystem.
An Advocate of Climate change, Engr. Safiyya Sanusi also added that the lowest dependence on plastic pollution has reached an alarming rate resulting in diversity and consequences for the planet even human health.
She said ” In order to phase-out this challenge, we must recognize that there are solutions available to combat this and also restore balance to our economic ecosystem.
“I grew up in a household where my father was very particular about protecting our environment. I remember my dad actively telling us to retake or to make sure we clean the environment.
“And I think growing up that was what sort of piqued my interest in the plastics pollution. I started researching on plastics pollution and how it affects our environmental system because these plastics don’t go away.
“Indirectly they’re back in our food. So it’s important that you know, we try to recycle our waste.
“It’s a very good policy to ban plastic because there are economic factors that are preventing it but it’s also important that we try to reduce this waste for our own benefit.
“I would like to also highlight education because the normal seller on the road does not know the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
“Involving all stakeholders, you have to involve women, children, youth, everyone has to come to the table to sort of understand what the situation is and what the issue is.”
She further stressed that education also plays a crucial role in solving the environmental crisis.
“By spreading awareness about the consequences of classes we inspire others to join the fight.
” The community organizations should prioritize teaching about environmental impacts of plastic and the importance of possible waste management.
“By instilling these values in future generations, we can create a more conscious and environmentally responsible society.”