Clara Omuluzua Madubike | I-Witness News
Anambra State Environment delegation which comprised the Commissioner, Engr Dr. Felix Odimegwu and MD/CEO of ASWAMA Hon. Mike Ozoemena attended the Nigeria plastic solution Activity project launch that was held yesterday, Monday, 6th May, 2024 at Landmark conference center, VI Lagos.
In her opening speech, Melissa Jones, Mission Director, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria says the newly launched Nigeria Plastic Solutions Initiative will create 10,000 jobs and generate $4.8 million in income.The initiative according to her seeks to tackle the critical challenge of plastic waste management in Nigeria through innovative recycling solutions.
“Anambra and Lagos states represent a country the size of Cameroon. Both states together represent the force of Nigeria. Anambra state is the Lagos of the South East”
She stated that Nigeria is the ninth highest contributor to plastic pollution, with about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, over 88 percent of which is not recycled. She said that the goal of the activity was to recycle 49,000 metric tons of plastic waste produced in Lagos and Anambra states over the next two years. She added that by recycling plastics, the environment will be safeguarded and become pathways to economic empowerment for underemployed Nigerians
Jones added that asides improving the environment, plastic collection, sorting, aggregating, processing and manufacturing offers employment opportunities. Small, medium scale enterprises, entry-level and semi-skilled workers particularly stand to benefit from this new value chain.
She noted that USAID would provide an enabling environment to improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of numerous collectors, aggregators and recyclers.
General Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, Mariam Khan said her company remained committed to creating shared opportunities and making a difference in communities. She noted that the initiative was not just about cleaning up but also about positively impacting lives and creating jobs.
On her part, Adesuwa Akinboro, Country Director, Nigeria, TechnoServe said the activity aims to reduce plastic waste in Lagos and Anambra states by at least 49,000 metric tons, through inclusive, market-driven interventions along the value chain.
The programme led by technoserve Nigeria in collaboration with CBF is a 24-month initiative which will be funded by USAID and Coca cola foundation with the goal of reducing plastic waste in Anambra and Lagos state
According to her, a fundamental aspect of the approach is the emphasis on developing market systems to drive the circular economy. We recognise the complexities within the plastic waste recycling value chain and are committed to addressing these challenges through innovative solutions that will enable sustainable practices and create inclusive job opportunities” she noted
In his remarks at the occasion, the Anambra state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu stated that the initiative was a welcome development that will not only reduce plastics waste but will create jobs, generate income, improve air, water and soil quality
Odimegwu opined that it takes plastic bottles (PET) over 400 years to decompose, these plastic waste goes into our landfills, clogs our waterways, mars our landscapes, threatens public health, kills thousands of marine animals, and releases toxins into the environment, thereby leading to plastic pollution/crisis”
He stated that Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo led administration prioritizes the Environment and health of the citizen, and through the Ministry of Environment in conjunction with ASWRA has held many programmes to help curb plastic waste e.g Plastic sustainability summit and All Anambra Plastic Pick up challenge which ran for 3 months with10,000 tonnes of plastic waste mopped from waterways, streets, markets, homes, malls, public and private places from179 communities in the state
This initiative will set Anambra plastic recycling sector to a paradigm shift which will help us attain the zero plastic waste phase. Just like the theme of the launch which reads“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Building a Sustainable Future”. We will surely harness this initiative to our advantage to create a clean, green, liveable, healthy and sustainable Environment not only for Ndi Anambra residents but for the world at large
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment Mr Tokunbo Phillip Wahab, US Consulate Kenise Hill, President, SWEEP Foundation Amb Philip Obuesi among others where also present at the launch.
