Environment
Waste Management: Expert Harps On EPR Enforcement
An environmentalist, Ms Funto Boroffice, last Wednesday said that implementation of the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) policy was essential to ensuring proper waste management in Nigeria.
Boroffice, the Chief Executive Officer of Chanja Datti Ltd. told newsmen in Lagos that enforcing policies already established was an easy approach to promoting recycling in the country.
She said that the EPR was made a regulation in 2009 by the National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency, (NESREA), to ensure that manufacturers properly cater for the waste they generate.
“Government has great regulations in the books. Unfortunately, where we fall short as a nation is in the enforcement of such Acts and regulations.
“If just the EPR regulation can be operationalised, I think we will see significant inroads to waste management, collection and recycling in Nigeria,” Boroffice said.
She said that with the increase in population, urbanisation and industrialisation, the challenge of solid waste management in Nigeria had increased and was even more complex than ever before.
According to her, recycling does not only serve as a partial solution to the solid waste problem in Nigeria, but contributes to the conservation of virgin products and energy.
“This contributes to sustainability, because we depend less on our limited natural resources and use materials that would normally be condemned to idleness, if not recycled.
“It also has the multiplier effect of creating jobs and promoting cleaner cities.
“Providing access to financing and promoting indigenous technology focused on recycling are ways that the government can promote recycling in Nigeria,” she said.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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