Env. Min urges Stakeholders’ to conform to EPR programme
By Friday Obande
Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, has urged all Stakeholders of environmental waste management to conform to the Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, programme introduced by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA.
The minister, who was represented by the Director, Environmental Impact Assessment, Mr. John Alonge, at the 12th National Stakeholders’ Forum hosted by the NESREA, themed, ‘Curricular Economy and Environmental Governance,’ commended the DG NESREA and his team for the Organisation of this year’s edition of the agency’s effort towards boosting environmental protection and preservation, noting that the conservation of our environment is for all generations.
He mentioned the green economy policy of the government, which he said is a support for a circular economy, from where waste can be minimised and recycled for manufacturing purposes, adding that NESREA had since its inception, developed 33 environmental regulations to preserve the environment for suitable development, with an additional phase which borders on healthcare, as presented in the agency’s last annual dialogue in the FCT, of which eight of the regulations have been passed into law to facilitate waste management and the EPR programme.
“I want to commend the DG NESREA, and his team for Organising this forum, as the choice of the theme is very apt, especially as this administration implements the National Economic Growth and Recovery Plan, NEGRP.
“For any development to be sustainable, such development must go hand in hand. The concepts of green economy and circular economy are all aspects of sustainable development, as it supports the circular economy in which the use of materials and generation of waste are minimised, and any remaining waste recycled.
“NESREA, an enforcement arm of the Federal Ministry of Environment developed and are enforcing 33 regulations to protect and preserve the environment for sustainable development. It is pertinent to note that eight of the 33 regulations have already passed into law have specific reference to solid waste management and the EPR.
“The regulations were developed pursuant to section to Section 25 (1) of the 2007 NESREA act, which empowers the Agency to make regulations for the purpose of protecting public health, promotion of sound environment impact of waste materials.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Anukam, said that the national Stakeholders’ forum has been one of the agency’s mantra for involving the public on matters that pertain to environmental governance.
Dr. Anukam noted that the two-day forum was meant to both enrichen environmental conservation, as well as engage participants to brainstorm on the theme of the event through paper presentations that would further enlighten the public on circular business prospects and good environmental governance in Nigeria.
