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ECOWAS Parliament Calls For Action On Plastic Waste Management In Sub-region

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
The Economic Community of West African States Parliament Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, and Committee on Infrastructure has called for member states to immediately adopt provisions for the effective implementation of existing regulations on plastic products’ harmonization and environmentally sound plastic waste management. 
 
The Joint Committee also urged member states to harmonize their respective regulations on the treatment and management of plastic waste as well as design policy to raise awareness among populations on the dangers of plastic waste
 
These were the recommendations of the Committee at the just concluded Delocalized meeting in Winneba, Ghana, with the theme, “Plastic Waste Management: Challenges in Implementing Community Policy and the Way Forward”.
 
The meeting, which was headed by the Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, was to create necessary awareness on the strategies developed by ECOWAS towards environmental friendliness and effective management of plastic waste.
 
The draft report also advised the ECOWAS Authority to instruct governments to create funds to be dedicated to organizing a circular economy for plastic waste treatment. 
 
The Parliament was also given the responsibility to organise  advocacy missions to member states for implementing Regulation C/REG.17/23 – a 
regulatory provision that aims to harmonize plastic products and promote environmentally sound plastic management in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. 
 
  
The regulations provides for the establishment of common standards for plastic products to ensure they meet specific requirements for safety, quality and environmental sustainability; prohibition of manufacturing, importation and sale of certain single-use plastic products such as plastic bags, straws and cutlery, due to their harmful environmental impact as well as ensuring that manufacturers take responsibility for the waste generated by their plastic products, including collection, recycling and disposal.
 
It also calls for compulsory labeling and marking of plastic products to indicate their material composition, recyclability and other relevant information; carrying out environmental impact assessment for new plastic products and production facilities to ensure they meet environmental sustainability criteria and
Establishment of mechanisms for monitoring compliance and enforcing the regulation through penalties and sanctions.
 
The draft report further urged  the Community’s Parliament to develop mechanisms for regular monitoring of plastic waste policy implementation and conduct advocacy for establishing a policy of accountability for plastic producers within member states.
 
In his remarks, Director of Environment and Climate Change at the ECOWAS Commission, Koffi Bernard, noted that Africa was estimated to be the second-largest source of plastic pollution in oceans from rivers (after Asia), contributing to about 7.8 per cent, and could become the largest contributor to poorly managed plastic waste globally by 2050 if measures were not taken to address the issue.
 
Bernard therefore urged parliamentarians to set up a framework for action and to participate in international discussions and negotiations on plastic waste management.
 
The very engaging meeting expanded participants’ knowledge about the health hazards associated with the use of plastic, and stimulate members on the necessary steps by way of legislations, individual and collective awareness creation strategy to stem the tide of all forms of risks linked to the use and disposal of plastics.
 
Declaring the meeting closed, the 3rd Deputy Speaker Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said there was need to find lasting solutions to plastic waste management. 
 
He said: “The success stories shared by the various stakeholders and experts have provided us with practical insight and inspiration to adopt in the different member states of ECOWAS and scale these initiatives within our respective communities.
 
“Our visit to the landfill and plastic treatment plant also gave us a firsthand insight into the innovative approaches and comprehensive strategies for plastic waste management. 
 
“This paradigm shift towards a circular economy is essential towards minimizing waste and promoting sustainable practices”.
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“Our National Chairman Goes Mad Again,” LP Reps Reply Abure Over Claimed Suspension 

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By Gloria Ikibah 

Three federal lawmakers of the Labour Party extraction have brushed aside recent claims of their suspension, calling the move unserious and politically motivated. According to them, the action appears to be the last gasp of a former party leader who no longer holds authority.

Julius Abure, the party’s former National Chairman whose tenure was recently brought to an end by a Supreme Court decision, had issued a statement declaring the suspension of Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who leads the Labour caucus in the House of Representatives, his deputy Hon. Seyi Sowunmi, and Hon. Amobi Ogah.

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In addition to these lawmakers, Abure also named Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe, and Senator Darlington Nwokocha who now serves as secretary of the party’s caretaker leadershipas being suspended.

The lawmakers, however, maintain that these announcements lack legitimacy, suggesting they are the reaction of an individual no longer in control of the party’s affairs.

In a joint statement signed by Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, Rep. Seyi Sowunmi, and Rep. Amobi Ogah, titled “Our Former National Chairman Goes Mad Again,” the three LP lawmakers expressed dismay that Abure, instead of working to improve the fortunes of the Labour Party, seemed focused on orchestrating its disintegration to appease external forces driving his actions.

They said further, “From yesterday’s overreach of himself and his band of jesters, it is now evidently clear to everyone who has followed recent events in the Labour Party, that our former national chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, has gone mad again, in a desperate move not to go down alone.

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“It’s utterly absurd that Abure, who failed to demonstrate moral integrity during his tenure as national chairman, now claims the authority to sanction party leaders. Only in Abure’s distorted reality can those with questionable character judge others. In the real world, his Supreme Court-nullified leadership status has reduced him to a self-serving shameless impostor driven by personal gain.

“A political party is set up for the specific goal of participating in the democratic process, especially the contestation for power.

Since the Peter Obi effect of 2023, what has Abure and his gang of undertakers done to enhance the fortunes of the party? In fact, we challenge him and his cohorts to name one single individual of note that they have attracted to the party since 2023.

“From Kogi to Bayelsa, Ondo to Edo, what Abure has done is lead the Party to disastrous outcomes.

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“All they have excelled in, is run the party as a criminal enterprise, fleecing aspirants of hard-earned cash in exchange for party ticket.

“Even in his native Edo, where he was dragged on the floor like a common felon because of disputations over misappropriated delegate funds, the over-bloated and egoistic Abure couldn’t even win his polling unit for the party.

“Pained of being kicked out of his lucrative position as national chairman, on account of abuse of official malfeasance, Abure and his gang of jesters have resorted to desperate antics in a bid to stay relevant.

“Which self-respecting national chairman of a political party busies himself running around media houses like a press boy? The last time around, it was announcing the sack and replacement of Hon. Ogene as caucus leader, but when that didn’t work, he has resorted to contriving a fake suspension order.

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“Abure has appointed himself as a willing undertaker for the destruction of the soul of the Labour Party but ironically, he is only supervising the burial plan of his image and integrity as a public servant and political leader. We wish him well.”

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Trump Congratulates First American Pope, Leo XIV

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United States president, Donald Trump, has congratulated cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as the new Pope, Leo XIV.

In a post on his Facebook page, Trump expressed excitement over the development and described the election as an honour to the American people.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.

“What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment,” he stated.

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White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, indicating the election of a new pope.

Robert Prevost is to be addressed as Pope Leo XIV.

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Akpabio drags Natasha to court over satirical apology

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete a satirical apology she posted on her social media pages.

On 27 April, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a short video in which she mockingly apologised to Akpabio, claiming it was for not allowing him to have his way with her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she was ‘sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect’ and for rejecting the advances of the Senate President, whom she implied believed no one could refuse him.

The dispute between the two senators stems from an altercation in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements.

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This led to Akpoti-Uduaghan initiating a suit that sought to stop the Senate from investigating her for alleged misconduct.

In particular, the senator asked the court to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, from taking any disciplinary action against her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was later suspended following her accusations against the Senate President, accusing him of sexual harassment.

The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, on 4 April 2025, restrained all parties involved in the suit from making public comments about the ongoing case.

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Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has filed a fresh application asking the court to direct Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video, arguing it violated a judge’s directive.

In his application, Akpabio’s lawyer also requested the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all her social media accounts.

Additionally, Ogunwumiju urged the court to mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and file an affidavit confirming her compliance.

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