Federal Ministry of Environment, UNIDO, others, rally against plastic pollution in collaborative seminar

In a united front against the escalating threat of plastic pollution, the Federal Ministry of Environment has joined forces with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Embassy of Japan. The collaboration, aimed at fostering a circular economy, was passionately advocated during a day-long seminar held in Abuja.

Themed “Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chain through Circular Economy Practices,” the seminar featured prominent speakers, including UNIDO’s Regional Director, Mr. Jean Bakole. Emphasizing the imperative need for stakeholder collaboration, Bakole expressed concerns about the pervasive impact of plastic pollution not only within Nigeria but also across neighboring countries.

Highlighting Nigeria’s extensive coastline as a contributor to global plastic pollution, Bakole cited alarming global statistics: over 450 million metric tonnes of plastics produced annually, with more than 300 metric tonnes ending up as waste. In Nigeria, the statistics painted a grim picture, with less than 20 percent of plastic waste collected and a mere nine percent recycled.

Yomi Banjo, National Programme Coordinator, Environment and Energy at UNIDO, disclosed Nigeria’s active participation in negotiations committee meetings for a new plastic convention. He stressed that, if established, Nigeria would bear collective responsibility, necessitating signing, ratification, and adherence to the convention’s obligations alongside other nations.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s role in implementing frameworks to manage plastic effectively, Banjo underscored the efforts’ significance for not only Nigeria but also the broader African region and the world. The collaborative project involving Nigeria, Japan, and UNIDO is now in its second year, with an upcoming evaluation to gauge its impact.

Mr. Usman Bokani, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment, underscored the global attention plastics are garnering due to their economic benefits and detrimental consequences on health and the environment. Bokani urged participants to study circular economy practices globally to adopt applicable strategies locally, especially for plastics.

Mrs. Emem Umana, the representative of the Embassy of Japan to Nigeria, commended the project’s progress, highlighting Japan’s commitment to addressing maritime plastic pollution. Despite the geographical distance between Japan and Nigeria, Umana stressed the shared environmental concerns, emphasizing Japan’s recognition of the urgency to tackle these issues for sustainable development in Africa.

Assuring ongoing support from Japan and international bodies, Umana expressed confidence that this collaboration would promote a sustainable plastic value chain in Nigeria.

In a final intervention, Mr. Ben Ewerem, Director of Solid Waste Management at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), called on Nigerians to unite in keeping the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) clean. Ewerem highlighted the pivotal role of the project in controlling plastics through recycling, contributing significantly to a cleaner environment.