FG Tackles Plastic Pollution With New UN-Backed Project
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Lawal Balarabe, has announced the launch of the Circular and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)-Free Plastics in Africa Project, a new initiative aimed at reducing the impact of plastic pollution in the country.
The project, which is backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will focus on eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in plastic-containing products and promoting circular economy practices.
Speaking at the Scheme’s Inception Workshop, Tuesday, in Abuja, the Minister informed that the Project will assist Nigeria in identifying safe and eco-friendly alternatives to POPs-containing plastics, adopt policies to implement circular economy practices while also managing POPs-contaminated waste in an environmentally sound manner.
Mallam Balarabe emphasized that the initiative will unlock new economic opportunities in green industries and sustainable waste management, while stressing the importance of collective responsibility among stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, academia, civil society, and development partners.
The Minister stated that the country was fully dedicated to environmental sustainability and therefore stressed the need for responsible consumption as well as effective waste management practices.
According to him,
“Our participation in this initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to scale up actions on environmental sustainability and aligns perfectly with our national priorities. These actions will not only protect our environment but will also create new economic opportunities in green industries and sustainable waste management,”
He appreciated the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN Environment, and the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for the African Region (BCCCAfrica) for their invaluable contributions and support in implementing the project, noting that it has paved the way for a more sustainable future.
