*Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, at a stakeholders鈥� forum, assures Nigerian consumers of safety from expected plastic pollution, disclosing the Federal Government is activating needed measures towards addressing the menace of plastic waste in the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government is currently putting in place measures towards addressing the menace of plastic wastes from the environment by through the development of a Sector-Specific National Guidelines for the implementation of the upcoming Plastic Waste Control Regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.鈥�

绿帽献妻 learnt Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Honourable Minister of State for Environment, assured Nigerian consumers of safety from expected plastic pollution Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the stakeholders鈥� meeting on the Draft National Guidelines for the Implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for (Plastic) Packaging, in Abuja, FCT.

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Honourable Minister of State for Environment

The government also assured Nigerians that they need not be afraid of plastic pollution, disclosing that needed measures are emplaced towards addressing the menace of plastic waste in the West African country.

Reeling off relevant statistics on the plastic pollution, the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) has posited that by 2030, plastic waste is expected to double to 165 million tonnes in African countries, report said.

NPAP noted most of these would be in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, calling for concerted and whole value chain approaches to addressing and curbing plastic pollution in Africa.

Other reports as well indicated that the world鈥檚 oceans contain estimated 100 million metric tonnes of plastic with about 90 percent of this quantity originating from land-based sources.

Still, referenced scientific findings affirmed the world鈥檚 marine life is endangered through the exposure of nanoparticles of ingested plastics which penetrate through the blood-brain barrier of seabirds.

This development is regarded as quite alarming as every human being on the face of the earth has a connection with plastics in one way or the other, according to report.

Nigeria implementing Plastic Waste Control Regulations under EPR initiative 鈹� Dr. Salako

Dr. Salako, Nigeria鈥檚 Minister of State for Environment, represented at the stakeholders meeting by Dr. Ahmadu Jibrin, a Director in the Ministry, however, affirmed that the Federal Government is putting in place measures towards addressing the menace of plastic waste from our environment.

The Minister noted this is by way of 鈥渄eveloping a Sector-Specific National Guidelines for the implementation of the upcoming Plastic Waste Control Regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.鈥�

He also stated the Federal Government through the National Environmental Standards and Regulations (NESREA), responding to its global commitment to the Basel Convention.

As regards the aim of NESREA, Salako said the primary purpose of the draft national guidelines on the environment is to provide far-reaching guidelines that will serve as a roadmap to all stakeholders in the plastic packaging value chain.

This is for the effective implementation of the EPR Programme as well as clearly defining the various obligations of all sector stakeholders in Nigeria, stated he.

The Minister said: 鈥淭his document is also poised to amongst others, aid the establishment of a Plastic Packaging Registry in the country, which is very germane, align with circular economy principles and sustainability efforts ultimately galvanisng towards the overall elimination of plastic pollution and the reduction of the adverse impacts of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) from our environment.

鈥淚t is thus expected that this draft document has been reviewed by the stakeholders in the 36 states and FCT by key stakeholders, and the submitted comments had been incorporated accordingly.鈥�

Salako further noted: 鈥淲e are here today to finalise the review comments towards birthing a robust instrument that will stand the test of time in the management of the plastic packaging, plastic waste and plastic pollution across their life cycle.鈥�

Plastic pollution affecting human ecosystems, wildlife and human health, says NESREA DG

Speaking at the forum, Dr. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, said: 鈥淲e stand at a critical juncture in our collective efforts to address the pressing challenges posed by plastic waste in our environment.

鈥淭he guidelines we are discussing are not just a regulatory framework; they represent a commitment to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and the health of our communities.鈥�

The NESREA Chief stated: 鈥淎s we are all aware, the proliferation of plastic packaging (Bottles (PET, PP or HDPE/PS), flexible mono-layer materials, rigid mono-layer materials, multi-layer and multi-material plastics) has led to significant environmental degradation, affecting our ecosystems, wildlife, and ultimately, human health.

鈥淭he need for a robust and effective waste management system has never been more urgent.鈥�

On the overall objective of the system, Dr. Barikor said: 鈥淭he EPR Programme is designed to shift the responsibility of waste management from local authorities and taxpayers to the producers of plastic packaging.

鈥淭his innovative approach encourages manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design to disposal.鈥�

He added: 鈥淚n these draft national guidelines, you will find detailed outlines of the key responsibilities of each stakeholder group, as well as specific targets for collection and recycling.

鈥淭hese targets are not merely aspirational; they are essential benchmarks that will guide our progress and hold us accountable.

鈥淚t is crucial that we engage in open dialogue and consultation to refine these targets based on stakeholder input and current data.鈥�

Kindly Share This Story