SAN FRANCISCO, June 06, (THEWILL) – The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with critical stakeholders, has developed a national strategy for the phasing out of non-bio degradable plastics.
This was revealed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at an event to mark the 2018 World Environment Day at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stated that the ministry was working in partnership with the state governments to develop a national plastic waste recycling programme which will involve the establishment of recycling plants across Nigeria.
According to him, eight of the plastic waste recycling plants have been completed and handed over to the states. Eighteen others were in various stages of completion.
“In addition, the Federal Government is also collaborating with the state governments to establish plastic waste recycling plants under the community-based waste management programme in the ministry,” he said.
The vice president said two plants have been completed in Ilorin, Kwara State; one in Lokoja, Kogi State and work was ongoing on another in Karu Local Government Area of Nassarawa State – all in Northcentral geopolitical zone adding that there were two privately-run plastic recycling plants in Gombe and Kano states.
He challenged multi-national corporations that produce fast-moving goods in plastics to take action towards managing plastic wastes.
“It is my view that for controlling the proliferation of plastic sachets, we must go back to the major producers of fast-moving goods to put in place recycling programmes that could effectively ensure that while we seek environmentally-friendly options for packaging, we are keeping the environment as free of plastics as possible,” he said.
He also called on the multinationals to partner with governments at the states and local governments “to ensure that we maintain the critical balance between economic growth and a safe and livable environment.”
“Nigeria is in a good place to lead Africa and indeed the world in beating plastic pollution,” Osinbajo said.
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