Clara Omuluzua Madubike | I-Witness News
Anambra State Ministry of Environment and the Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association have held their first joint meeting ahead of All Anambra Plastic pick up challenge 2.0. The meeting which took place at the Commissioner’s office at Jerome Udorji Secretariat, Awka was geared towards the success of the plastic challenge.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu stated that the success of The Maiden edition of All Anambra Community Plastic pick up challenge 1.0 had attracted the National, International communities and big brands across the globe.
He went on to state that USAID, Coca-Cola Foundation through Technoserve had chosen Anambra State as one of the states to be fully funded through Plastic waste recycling in the Nigeria Plastic Solution Activity Launch held in Lagos state recently.
Dr Odimegwu disclosed that the project will strengthen policies, promote circular economy and good value chain in Anambra plastic waste recycling ecosystem. The creation of over ten thousand jobs (10,000) jobs, plastic free, clean, green, healthy and sustainable Environment through this initiative has always been the agenda of Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo vision for Ndi Anambra.
The Commissioner read out his work plan for the plastic challenge 2.0. which include; Sensitization of the citizen on the benefits of the challenge especially those in rural areas, selection of 179 team members/coordinators (from ASATU), 29 coordinators (from ASWRA), 3 Zonal Coordinators (from ward level) as a structure for the project execution. He also urged all waste collectors, aggregators and waste recyclers in the state to identify with the ASWRA and the Environment ministry team as we make HISTORY AGAIN.
Engineer Odimegwu enjoined Ndi Anambra to join hands in making the poject A GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR ZERO PLASTIC WASTE by cultivating the habit of storing used plastics which turns to wealth as the aggregators weigh and pay a token for it instead of throwing them into drainages, canals which eventually end up in our water bodies thus infiltrating them. USAID stated that this initiative hopes to remove 49, 000 metric tonnes of waste in two years but we are prepared to surpass it. the tentative launch date for the plastic challenge in Anambra state is on the 27th of June which will span over six (6) months period
In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Tochukwu Obodogha and Director of Environment Control and Pollution Department, Mrs Oluchi Nwankwu stated that the ministry is ever ready to make the project a fruitful one, as that will not only wade off plastic waste in the Environment but will help maintain good health among the citizen
In the same vein, Convener of ASWRA Pst Ben Agape calls for re-orientation of the plastic challenge to the general public while stating that the body will build itself more from the past challenge and experiences encountered in the maiden edition
In addition, Mr Femi Ola of Chikason recycling company and Mr Eze Martin of peace and unity eulogized the Commissioner for his dynamic foresight and doggedness during the maiden edition. They promised to go back to the drawing board, re-strategize and come out with full force for the plastic challenge 2.0
