Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Ishaq Salako has lauded Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s initiative of clean, green, and sustainable state in Nigeria.
The Minister via zoom recommended the initiative in his address in the just concluded Plastic Waste Sustainability Summit organized by Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association, ASWRA, in conjunction with the State Ministry of Environment, held in Awka, Anambra State, South-Eastern, Nigeria.
Salako noted that waste plastic remains the major contributor to land and water pollution, causing environmental disaster in farm lands across the country.
According to him, plastic pollution has become one of the gravest environmental problems not only in Nigeria but the world as a whole.
“Over 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Nigeria are posing a serious threat to food safety and quality.
“In Nigeria, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Environment is putting together a National system to support cycler management of waste products like; plastic, aluminium, electro and electrical equipments, batteries and so on, I want to assure the Anambra Government that once the system becomes operational, the State will get its slot.
“I therefore enjoined you all to join Prof Chukuma Soludo on his drive for clean, green, and sustainable Anambra State,” the Minister stated.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, the State Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, Chief of staff to the governor Mr Ernest Ezeajughi and the Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Adejuwon in their respective remarks, said that it is important to provide an enabling environment for investments in the recycling business, noting that the government is ready to support the efforts geared towards the conversion of waste to wealth, waste to biogas, waste to compost manure, waste to energy and waste to other useful products.
Engr. Felix Odimegwu, the State Commissioner for Environment in his address noted that recycling hubs and banks are being set up across Anambra State in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda on waste to wealth, adding that plastic wastes can be taken to these hubs and exchanged for cash or other valuable items.
“The Ministry under my watch will ensure that the advocacy for clean and green environment is sustained across the 179 communities in the State,” the Commissioner stated.
The convener ofAnambra State Waste Recyclers Association ASWRA Barrister Philip Obuesi highlighted that it is necessary for all residents to subscribe to the clean, green, and sustainable Anambra by changing their attitudes towards the environment.
Obuesi who is the CEO Statewide Waste Environmental Education Program (SWEEP) Foundation in an interview with newsmen added that despite the fact that he is based in Lagos, it was necessary for him to come back to Anambra and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.
“Their will be a remarkable difference in Anambra state by the end of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in terms of waste management.
“Government needs to create policy that will give legal backing to the actions of ASWRA. More advocacy, awareness, and sensitization should be made.
“I commend the ministry of environment led by Dr Felix Odimegwu. Their activities in the last four months have been massive.
“It is important to provide an enabling environment for investments in the recycling business, noting that government is ready to support the efforts geared towards the conversion of waste to wealth, waste to biogas, waste to compost manure, waste to energy and waste to other useful products,” he reiterated.
The keynote speaker, Dr David Onuoha who treated the topic “overcoming plastic pollution through community empowerment, capacity building and Stakeholders participation: A focus on the communities in Anambra State,” listed some of the causes of plastic pollution to include; inadequate waste management, consumer behavior, lack of awareness, plastic production, ineffective regulations, packaging practices, natural events and population growth, adding that the sustainability routes include reuse, recycle, reduce, remove, replace and management and value chain initiative.
The highlights at the sustainability summit were presentation of awards, prizes to companies and communities that participated in the just concluded “All Community Plastic Challenge Competition” and playlets by various schools.
Shakirat Sadiq
