The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and the Digital Pears International, DPI, have declared that Nigeria can do without plastics, calling on government, groups and individuals to start working towards phasing out the use of plastics.
The organizations warned that the the harmful effects of plastic wastes cannot be over emphasized, adding that countries like Rwanda no longer allows plastics.
Speaking at a plastic waste solution programme in Abuja on Thursday, Dr Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator, UNDP Gef Small Grant programme, said Nigeria must start looking ahead to life without plastics.
“We have the plastic menace or waste challenges in Nigeria and I think one of the reasons is because, especially in Nigeria, is the lack of awareness.
“And the next thing is that many people think that they cannot do anything about it. They are waiting for the government to do something about it.
“So we don’t have to wait for the government to do something. We can actually start something, and then the government will buy into it and continue to make it bigger.
“So we have to continue to create awareness. So many people are not aware. They don’t understand that our actions to environmental issues are what is causing these problems.
“Let the people know what is happening and what is the reason, what are the causes of what is happening and then let us build the capacity for people to be able to address the problems, and let us provide them with the resources.
“Nothing is impossible. I’m an ardent believer in being optimistic. If it is not good for us. I am very sure people are coming up in Rwanda, you cannot go anywhere in Rwanda to see plastic, especially the single used, and even the double used, or multiple used whatever that you call it right from their airport down to the whole of the country.
“So if a country like Rwanda has done it, then we can do it. That’s one number two. I’m sure you all know about what happened in Lagos State, about two years ago the banning of Styrofoam, nobody has died because of styrofoam.
“So I know that the challenge is big. I know that it may not be instant, the solution will not be instant, but there is nothing that is Not possible.”
Also speaking, a retired Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Mrs Ibukun Odusote, noted that plastic waste has been a major problem in the country.
“Plastic waste has been a problem in the country. All right. Generally waste management is a problem but in particular because it is not easily degradable. That’s why we place a lot of emphasis on it,”
Olubamise said
She stressed the need to enlighten the people on the effects of plastic waste, adding that young ones should be encouraged to know that they can actually make money out of plastic waste.
“So instead of throwing plastics all over the place, they can make business out of it. It takes away poverty and puts money in their hands.
“We believe that what we are doing will help the government to guide how waste is being managed. Organizations that are producing products that have plastic components like water, soft drinks, and the rest of them.
“We’re engaging these companies and we’re giving them direction…they can still sell their products but they should give back to the society by enlightening the people to know how they dispose of these plastic waste.
“We are contacting supermarkets, as many as we can in the FCT and Nasarawa State that we to stop the use of nylons for packaging goods,” the UNDP official added.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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