By Bisola Adeyemo
Nigerian Government, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), and Japan on Thursday, signed an agreement to develop and promote sustainable plastic waste management which will contribute to the industrial development of Nigeria.
Chief Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for Environment, at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja said the project will control the misuse of plastic and poor management of plastic waste in Nigeria.
Tonnes of plastic waste poses great dangers to health and the environment, contaminate the soil, affect crop yields, pollute the ocean and other water bodies.
According to her, the project is timely as the global community is making concerted efforts in developing an international instrument to address plastic pollution holistically and sustainably.
“Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people generates about 32 million tons of solid waste per year.
“The country also generates 1.15 million tons are plastic wastes and with little or no segregation which are illegally dumped in open spaces including drainages.
“Such wastes are healthcare wastes in dumpsites and burnt openly with an estimated 340 thousand tons ending up as marine litter,” she said.
“The large volume of plastic waste being generated in the country presents circular economic business opportunities across the plastic value chain which should be properly harnessed for job/wealth creation.
“Also, it also holds prospects for the establishment of micro, small and medium scale enterprises, private sector investment including foreign direct investment in addition to preventing/reducing plastic leakages to the environment.
“One of the ways to realise this potential is to support the industry by demonstrating benefits of adopting circular economy practices with innovative technologies including recycling technology or alternative material production”, Ikeazor said.
Also speaking, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, said the project would enhance the value of the Gulf of Guinea and boost Nigeria’s prosperity.
In a message of goodwill, Mr Jean Bankole, UNIDO representative and Regional Director, Nigeria Office, said that the organisation would support Nigeria and its partners in translating the agreement into concrete actions.
The project has duration of 36 months and a budget of 319,000,000 million Japanese Yen, approximately $2,901,527.