MICHAEL IKEOGWU
Delta State Government has recorded appreciable success in recycling pet bottles, just as it is poised to end the menace of scavengers across the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment,Mr. Ejiro Jamani, at a one-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF), with the theme, “Zero Waste”, in Asaba.
Mr Jamani said that the success story was as a result of partnership between the Ministry and several companies involved in recycling pet bottles across the State.
Mr. Jamani, who was represented by Dr. Minnie Oseji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment specifically revealed that Solid Chemicals Ltd and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance received 407.646 metric tonnes of recycled items in 2022 and in 2023, Solid Chemicals Ltd alone received 2,905.761 metric tonnes.
According to Mr. Jamani, “the Ministry has organized sensitization programmes for stakeholders on zero waste with Heads of Environment Departments in the nine local government councils in Delta North Senatorial District, Private Sector Participants (PSPs), relevant government MDAs and landlords associations with a view to reduce, reuse and recycle Wastes”.
Speaking of the state government’s drive through the ministry to eradicate the menace of scavengers at the households and dumpsites from the state, he expressed dissatisfaction with their continued presence at dumpsites, adding that ministry officials have gone all out visiting all dumpsites and on the look out to apprehend any scavenger who flouts government directives. According to him, “we have at various times and fora highlighted health risks faced by scavengers. We have also explained and listed infectious diseases they could contact and transfer to their family members, this is a development that could lead to outbreak of diseases.”
In his remarks, WeyinmiOkotie, Executive Director, Green Knowledge Foundation highlighted challenges in waste management and explained waste to climate change mitigation strategies.
He said that the Zero-Waste Concept is focused on waste prevention, adding that it encourages redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are repurposed and/or re-used.
The Executive Director of Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF) disclosed that waste could be turned to energy through biogas, a renewable source of energy, insisting that the device could reduce undue reliance on wood and charcoal, thereby helping to prevent deforestation and combat air pollution.
He identified waste management challenges in Nigeria, where he said approximately 60 percent of waste is organic materials.
He listed pollution, wildlife harm, management cost, and loss of economic opportunities as part of waste management challenges in Nigeria.
