By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A non governmental organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability Eco-Green Africa has made a case for transformation of informal waste sector operators to enable them contribute to a sustainable circular economy.
Regional Programme Director of Eco-Green Africa Mrs Dorathy Ukemezia made the call at the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) Informal Waste Sector capacity strengthening Programme at Idu, Abuja.
Eco-Green Africa during the event empowered operators in the informal waste sector (scavengers) by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to turn waste into wealth with the support of GPAP.
Mrs Ukemezia said the programme was part of efforts to recognise the ‘backbones’ of waste recycling with a focus on helping them to transform their work and contribute to a sustainable circular economy.
“When it comes to sustainable waste management, these are the integral people that are very important to ensure that our waste are properly recycled. Eco Green Africa felt that it is very important to locate and identify them and to be able to give them the enablement to take care of this plastic waste very well. They need to be equipped technically.
Apart from giving them hands-on skills to be able to recycle plastic in their cluster, the organization is also teaching the 51 participants technical, safety and hygiene practices in plastic recycling. The personal protective equipment for the scavengers includes hand gloves and nose masks, “so that when they are sorting this waste, they will be able to protect themselves from issues.”
She noted that the operators would need a little amount of capital to purchase recycling machines, including shredding machines, ingestion moulding machines, and extrusion machines that they can use to process plastic waste and manufacture small items like combs, dustbins and plates.
Engineer David Ayenigba who represented the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) urged the participants and other operators in the waste management sector to formalize their operations by forming cooperative societies, associations or individual registration on the SMEDAN platform to access the available services.
“Register your business for us to be able to partner with you. When you have a name, SMEDAN will be able to carry you, nurture you and ensure that your businesses grow. Get registered for us to be able to recognize you,” he said.
“Register to enjoy government services. SMEDAN is here to give you access to finance. It is here to build your capacity. And the only benefit from SMEDAN is to be registered on our portal where you would be certified.”
Some of the participants who spoke during the workshop said they have been exposed to opportunities to formalize their operations and make high income. Some of them pledged the commitment to register their businesses to be able to reap the full potential of the waste recycling business.
According to the organisers, the empowerment programme will also be held in other parts of the FCT, Lagos, Niger State and Anambra States.
