BY Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako on Tuesday disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Environment is set to present a memo at the Federal Executive Council for approval to ban single use plastics in all MDAs of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Minister disclosed this in his keynote address titled “Chemical and waste management: Circular solutions for sustainable economy” delivered at the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency’s second chemical handler and users workshop on Tuesday.
According to Salako “These measures are symbolic demonstration of our commitment to frontally tackle the plastic waste menace in our environment and a warning shot that waste generation and management in our country cannot remain business as usual.
He said that the theme of the forum is focusing on a key element of sustainable development, which is at the core of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to revitalize the nation’s economy.
He said Nigeria is one of the fastest growing countries in the world with a population of over 200 million, generating about 32 million tons of solid waste per year with little or no segregation and the waste often dumped in open spaces, sometimes with hazardous materials and burnt openly.
“These unwholesome practices have been linked to perennial flooding across the country, increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, increased incidences of cancer, loss of aquatic life, and agricultural productivity.
“The importance of chemicals to the economy of a nation cannot be overemphasized as affirmed by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). According to ICCA, the sector contributes an estimated US$5.7tn, or 7%, to the world gross domestic product (GDP) through direct, indirect, and induced impacts, supporting 120 million jobs worldwide.
“However, while they contribute significantly to the well-being of society, they also pose a threat to human health, the environment and sustainable development if they are not managed responsibly.
“Currently, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), nearly 140,000 industrial chemicals are marketed worldwide including in Nigeria, meaning that hazardous chemicals, products containing them, their hazardous wastes and related pollutants continue to be released and disposed of in large quantities.
“The result is not only the negative impact on the environment but also on humans and animals exposed to these chemicals in different ways, causing different biological responses and oftentimes leading to serious health issues. Suffice it to say that some of our cries about “spiritual attack” from our village people on our health are purely consequences of the mismanagement of chemicals.”
