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Plastic Waste: ECOWAS Parliament Gives Five-point Management Plan

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament), has put up a five-point action plan to fight the menace of plastic waste in the Sub-region. 
 
The the 3rd Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, made the proposal at the opening of the Delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Energy and Mines Infrastructure on Tuesday in Winneba, Ghana. 
 
Hon. Afenyo-Markin noted that the theme of the joint committee, “Plastic Waste Management: Challenges and Prospects in the Implementation of Community Activities” was not only for academic discussion but a clarion call to action and a command to safeguard the very essence of West African identity.
 
The head of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, expressed displeasure that West Africa was under siege, and that the rhythm of life along coastal towns and communities such as Winneba has been set by the fall back that greatly threatened ancient harmony.
 
He said: “Our once-pristine beaches are now littered with the debris of our modern lives. Plastic waste chokes our waterways, suffocates our marine life and poisons the very waters that have nourished us for millennia.
 
“In Ghana alone, records showed that we have witnessed a staggering 59 per cent decline in small pelagic fish landings between 1993 and 2019.”
 
“The Parliamentarian decried that the economic toll of the menace was equally devastating as according to him, each ton of plastic waste causing marine pollution costs the region between $10,000 and $33,000. 
 
“Our vital sectors – fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism and coastal real estate are bearing the brunt of this relentless assault on our environment. 
 
“The question before us today is simple, yet monumental. How do we turn the tide on this plastic menace without leaving our people high and dry? Make no mistake, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. We must balance environmental preservation with economic realities. The plastic industry provides jobs for millions across our region. Any solution we propose must account for these livelihoods.
 
“But let us be clear, inaction is not an option. The cost of doing nothing far outweighs the challenges of change. We owe it to our fishermen, to our market women, to our children, and to the generations yet unborn to act, and to act now”, the 3rd Deputy Speaker added.
 
Hon. Afenyo-Markin therefore proposed a five-point action plan for immediate consideration by the Parliament through a harmonized legislation across Member States to help solve the challenges. 
 
According to him, the first action plan, was for member states to phase out single-use plastics within the next three years. 
 
Citing examples he noted that, “Rwanda has shown us the way. They taught us that it is possible. We must learn from their success and adapt it to our context. With about 80 per cent of our plastic waste currently mismanaged, we need rigorous and enforceable policies that span our entire region. 
 
“Other plans include the need to invest heavily in innovative waste management solutions that can turn the challenge into opportunity; strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing practices by foreign trawlers; push for the establishment of an ECOWAS Coastal Protection Fund to support communities most affected by plastic pollution and declining fish stocks as well as engage in comprehensive public education campaign to change behaviours towards plastic use and waste management. 
 
“Today, we are called to rise again. The plastic waste choking our waters is more than an environmental crisis; it is a test of our commitment to our people, to our heritage and to our future.
 
“It is a challenge to our fishermen whose nets now catch more plastic than fish, to our farmers whose lands and livestock are threatened by this plague and to our children who deserve to inherit clean beaches and bountiful seas”.
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Trump set to sign Executive Order to flush out transgender personnel from US military

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President-elect, Donald Trump, is set to sign an executive order that would remove all transgender members from the United States military.

It was learnt that the development has intensified concerns within the LGBTQ+ community.

The report claimed that the state officials had stated that transgender personnel would be discharged on medical grounds, deeming them “unfit” to serve.

Recall that during Trump’s first term as president, he introduced a similar policy that prohibited transgender individuals from joining the armed forces while allowing those already enlisted to remain in their roles.

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After Trump left office, President Joe Biden had overturned the military ban in his first week as president in 2021, issuing an executive order to restore transgender individuals’ right to serve openly. However, with Trump’s potential return to the White House, transgender rights in the US may face renewed challenges.

However, the current proposal, as reported, would extend to removing all transgender service members, regardless of their current status. It is anticipated that the executive order will be issued on Trump’s first day in office, January 20 next year.

If signed, Trump’s new directive could be broader and more contentious than the policy he implemented during his first term. What would be its impact on transgender personnel serving in US military.

Reports indicated that approximately 15,000 transgender individuals are actively serving in the US military.

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This is coming amid moves by US congress to stop irst transgender lawmaker from using female restrooms and bathrooms in her new workplace.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson had expressed his support for the policy that tends to disregard transgender ideologies in the legislative arm.

“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” the speaker said in a statement last Wednesday.

“It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.

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The move to prevent McBride from using the women’s facilities in the House was first initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who on Monday introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using women’s bathrooms inside the complex.

Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.

She took her anti-trans crusade even further on Wednesday, announcing a bill to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender in all federal buildings across the country. Neither of the resolutions have been brought to a House vote.

It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol. Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he added.

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The move to prevent McBride from using the women’s facilities in the House was first initiated by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who on Monday introduced a resolution to ban trans women from using women’s bathrooms inside the complex.

Mace said the resolution was “absolutely” in response to McBride, a Delaware Democrat, being elected to the House.

She took her anti-trans crusade even further on Wednesday, announcing a bill to ban trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender in all federal buildings across the country. Neither of the resolutions have been brought to a House vote.

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PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder

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Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Echenwo, left, founder of Priesthood Orphanage, Karamajiji, Abuja and Mrs. Maria Cardillo, a member of Just Friends Club of Nigeria, during the visit of the club to the orphanage in Abuja…recently

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Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters

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The National Youth Service Corps has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I call-up letters for prospective corps members.

The corps made the announcement in a series of post on its official X (former Twitter) handle on Monday.

It said orientation camp for the stream is expected to start on November 27, 2024 and closes on December 17, 2024.

According to the post, “some prospective corp members posted to Lagos will have orientation in Ogun and Osun.

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“While some of those posted to Zamfara will have in Kebbi and Sokoto etc”

The corps, however, advised prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which will be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.

Tips to guide Deployed Prospective Corps Members

Do not travel to the Orientation Camps at night. Break your journey when necessary.
Report on your scheduled reporting date.
Apply for spelling error and name rearrangement on your dashboard.
After documentation in the Camp, you cannot change your Date of Birth, Date of Graduation, Course of Study and Passport Photograph.
Do not report to the Camp if there is any discrepancies in your course of study or with the Date of Graduation on your Statement of Result and your Call-up Letter. Contact your Institution to sort it out.
ATTENTION TO ALL 2024 BATCH ”C” STREAM I MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS

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All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.

They are to report during the period of Registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence. Once the change is made it will reflect on theirM dashboard for reprinting.

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