Nigeria is soon to effect a ban on single-use plastics in all its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, announced this on Tuesday, at the second edition of the Chemical Handlers and Users’ Workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The workshop was organised by the Ogun State Government and the State Environmental Protection Agency with the theme “Chemicals and Waste Management: Circular Solutions for a Sustainable Economy.”
Dr Salako further revealed that the Federal Government is equally planning to establish recycling plants in each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to promote a circular economy.
This is coming about two weeks after the Lagos State Government, through its Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state.
Stryrofoam is used to manufacture disposable plates used in eateries.
Dr Salako disclosed that a ban on single-use plastics in all departments, agencies, programmes, and projects of the Ministry of Environment has already been announced, and a memo will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council to implement this ban across all MDAs.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Environment, as part of its deliverables under the eight presidential priority areas, is expected to commence the full implementation of the circular economy roadmap for Nigeria this year.
The minister identified inadequate policy, a legal and regulatory framework, and insufficient funds dedicated to promoting the concept as part of several obstacles to the implementation of a circular economy in Nigeria.
Salako further noted inadequate and unaffordable recycling technologies, a dearth of information on alternatives, a low level of public awareness, and inadequate data.
The minister said, “Despite these challenges, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is resolute in achieving a clean, circular, and buoyant economy for the nation.
“Therefore, my ministry, the Federal Ministry of Environment, as part of its deliverables under the eight presidential priority areas, is expected to commence the full implementation of the circular economy roadmap for the country in 2024.
(C) ControlTV 2024.
