The Nigerian Government has launched the National Action Policy on Solid Waste Management and National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
The two policy unveiled documents were approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC on 15th July and 21st October 2020 respectively. They have now become instruments for addressing the daunting challenges of improper management and disposal of solid and plastic waste in Nigeria.
Unveiling the policies, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammed Mahmood reiterated the Ministry commitment to ensure a safe environment for all Nigerians.
The Minister said that ‘‘the Policy harmonises the ministry’s work with all sector to align with the current administration’s development agenda.”
Dr Mahmood stated that the imperative was to develop the policies, promote the principles of circular economy aimed at zero waste reduction as well as the efficient use and reuse of resources to ensure sustainable use of plastic throughout its life cycle and the management of solid waste effectively.
He said; “Currently solid waste management is one of the most pressing environment challenges faced by urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Waste management is characterised by inefficient collection methods, insufficient coverage of municipalities, inadequate recycling and indiscriminate disposal as well as inadequate and incoherent policy, legal and regulatory frame work, these practices…All these have led to adverse health and environmental consequences.
”It is important to stress that though the Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining, ASGM is key in the transformational agenda of the current administration, its activities must be well managed to ensure the protection of human life and the environment from the deleterious effects of mercury which is being widely used in the ASGM.”
According to him; ”these policies in line with the sustainable development Goals, SDGs will encourage a greater commitment from all stakeholders, provide clear guidance, job creation poverty alleviation, waste to wealth programms, conservation natural resources, attraction of foreign direct investments and a clean and healthier environment.”
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Muhammed Mahmood, was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Able Olumuyiwa Enitan,
The Regional Director United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS, Mr Jean Bakole, said the National Action Policy plan would provide Nigeria with current data and an up to date situation analysis of Gold mining in Nigeria.
The document will also appeal to both local and foreign investors, and mapped out way forward for gold mining and its associated Mercury management in Nigeria. He added.
The National Action Plan was a success through the collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, World Health Organisation, WHO, Ministry of Health, Ministry of environment and Ministry of Mine and Steel development in Nigeria.
Nigeria had signed the Paris Agreement, an international deal aimed at tackling climate change. It has validated the agreement in 2017 and has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030, this national policy is expected to help achieve this goal.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
