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Speaker ECOParl Says Infrastructural Deficit, Responsible For Poor Plastic Waste Management In Sub-region

Published

4 months ago

July 31, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, Honourable Mémounatou Ibrahima, has said that the menace of plastic waste in the region was as a result lack of adequate infrastructure for collecting, sorting and processing plastic waste.

Speaker Ibrahima who stated this at the opening of delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources/Energy, Mining/Infrastructure of the ECOWAS Parliament, highlighted the lack of awareness among the people as one of the factors, on Tuesday in Winneba, Ghana.

She warned that plastic waste pollution may have significant impact on food security in the ECOWAS sub-region.

The Speaker lamented that despite efforts made at different levels of authorities to combat the situation, ECOWAS was still struggling to eradicate plastic waste from our towns, countryside and oceans.

She said: “This scourge is an environmental threat and a brake on our economic development. The impact on public health is also a cause for concern, with increased risks of illness linked to pollution and contamination of water resources.

“At an international level, in addition to the numerous conventions adopted to combat climate change, awareness of the many negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment and human and animal health has led the international community to institute a “World Plastic Bag Free Day” in 2010, which is celebrated every year on July 3.

“At the community level, ECOWAS, aware of the urgency of the situation, has adopted a community policy for the management of plastic waste. This ambitious and necessary policy aims to promote the reduction, recycling, and recovery of plastic waste while ensuring the responsible management of non-recyclable waste.

“At national level, to effectively combat plastic pollution, certain Member States such as Togo, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Gambia and Senegal have already adopted legislation to regulate the plastics sector.

“In addition, ECOWAS has adopted the regulation on the Regulation of Plastic Products and the Harmonization of the Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Waste in ECOWAS Member States, to alleviate the difficulties experienced by Member States in effectively implementing the regulations already in place”.

Speaker Ibrahima acknowledged West Africa as the cradle of vibrant cultures and exceptional natural resources, but however expressed worries that the Sub-region was confronted by a significant environmental challenge that threatens development and collective well-being through proliferation of plastic waste.

“Dear colleagues and distinguished guests, the impact of plastic pollution on our ecosystem is undeniable and poses a significant threat to our survival. The figures are alarming. ECOWAS generates around 17 million tons of plastic waste annually, of which only 10 per cent is recycled.

“This lack of proper management leads to an accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, polluting our oceans, rivers and soils and threatening biodiversity. Individual efforts are not enough. We need collective action and collaboration to propose effective solutions for plastic waste management”, she added.

She noted that In the face of the challenges, it is of vital importance to thinking deeply and devise innovative and sustainable solutions to the problem.

“I am confident in the participants’ expertise at this meeting to propose solutions that will enable us to meet our current needs without compromising those of future generations.

“I believe it is vital that the Parliament calls on the Member States to invest massively in research and development, encourage technological innovation in the recycling and recovery of plastic waste and strengthen the capacities of local players in the responsible management of plastic waste.

“Above all, we need to adapt our school curricula to include compulsory subjects on the fight against climate change in general and plastic waste in general to better prepare them to adapt to these new challenges.

“The fight against plastic pollution is a shared one. It concerns environmental issues, social justice and sustainable development. By joining forces, sharing experiences and exploring innovative solutions, we can meet this challenge and build a more sustainable future for our region”, she stated.

The Speaker thanked the people and government of Ghana, especially President Nana-Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the warm reception.

She also commended the 3rd Deputy-Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honourable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markim for the efforts made to enable the committee hold its meeting in the best possible conditions.

News

JUST IN: Govt Declares Friday As Public Holiday

Published

9 seconds ago

November 14, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Ondo State Government has declared Friday as public holiday to enable civil servants and others to travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday evening signed by O.F Ayodele, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of service.

The statement reads, “The 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.

“To this end, the Ondo State Government has declared Friday, 15th November, 2024 as Work-Free Day for Public Servants in the State to enable them travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“All Accounting Officers are to note the content of this Circular and disseminate same to all staff of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”

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NNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO

Published

6 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Board of Directors at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a leadership shakeup, appointing key executives to strengthen corporate governance and operational efficiency.

This was made known in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.

In the series of new appointments, Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been named as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding his prior role as Executive Vice President of the Downstream sector, where he contributed significantly to NNPC’s downstream operations.

Segun replaced the outgoing CFO, Umar Ajiya.

Joining him in newly appointed roles, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.

Udobong Ntia has also been appointed as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, replacing the outgoing EVP Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.

The statement read, “These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organisation’s strategic objectives.

“The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.

NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritising the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry.”

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1,172 Nigerians Killed, Over 1,000 Kidnapped In Nine Months – NHRC

Published

11 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says a total of 1,463 people were killed by non-state actors while 1,172 Nigerians were kidnapped between January to September 2024.

According to the data from the commission, the month of May recorded the highest number of persons killed with 298 while March recorded the highest number of abductions with 499 kidnappings.

These figures were presented on Wednesday at a workshop on the state of human rights in Nigeria by the commission and the European Union, in Abuja.

In his remarks, NHRC Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hillary Ogbonna, gave a breakdown of the alarming rise in human rights abuses, including kidnappings, killings and child abandonment.

“By January 2024, we already had 150 kidnappings and 55 killings associated mainly with non-state actors. What has become the norm is the killing of law enforcement officers,” he said.

“We started with seven policemen killed in January. From victims’ perspectives, we had quite a number of victims for human rights violations for January.”

The NHRC attributed the rise in kidnappings, killings and child abandonment to the negligence of the state tom protect its citizens.

“In recent years, we have witnessed alarming trends and threats against those who dare to speak the truth to power.

“It serves as a stark reminder that the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action and cooperation from all sectors of the society,” Tony Ojukwu, NHRC Executive Secretary said.

The delegation from the EU reiterates its commitment to support Nigeria to overcome these challenges. It also urged the Federal Government to work with the armed forces to end this trend.

“The European Union will continue to work around the world through diplomacy,” the Head of EU Delegation, Zissimos Vergos, said.