Minister signs document to promote sustainable plastic value economy

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna 

The  Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor,  has signed the document for the implementation of Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chain through Circular Economy Practices in the Federal Capital Territory FCT and Lagos state.

Ikeazor, signing the document in  Abuja recently, she said the  objective of the project is to promote integration of circular economy principles and practices into plastic waste management and strengthen plastic value chains.

“The project is very welcomed as the global community including Nigeria is making concerted efforts including developing a separate international instrument to address plastic pollution holistically and sustainably. Nigeria, with a population of over 200 Million people generates about 32 Million tons of solid waste per year,” . 

She said the large volume of plastic waste being generated in the country presents circular economic business opportunities across the plastic value chain which should be properly harnessed for job,wealth creation, establishment of micro, small and medium scale enterprises.  

Others are private sector investment including foreign direct investment in addition to preventing reducing plastic leakages to the environment.

“The Project would also help to demonstrate the benefits of adopting circular economy practices and resource efficient production of plastic value chains in Nigeria.”

She said  therefore, the Ministry has taken proactive measures to promote, institutionalise and entrench sound circular economy principles and practices in the country.”

She said Nigeria generates about 32 million tons of solid waste per year, of which 1.15 million tons are plastic wastes, with little or no segregation is illegally dumped in open spaces including drainages.

The project is being supported by the Government of Japan and to be implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other key partners.