Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) joined other members of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) on an advocacy visit to the Delta State Ministry of Environment in Asaba, Delta State on its campaign against Plastic Pollution, Open Waste Dumping and the promotion of Zero Waste.

Representing ERA/FoEN at the meeting which was held on Thursday, the 13th of July 2023, and was also facilitated by Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) in partnership with Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF), was the Project Officer, Waste Management, Melody Enyinnaya.

In an intervention during the session, she stated that the Extended Producer Responsibility negotiation may not be complete if it doesn’t produce an accountability system.

The government should make policies that hold manufacturers responsible for their product waste such as withdrawal policy, adding that segregation of waste from source should become a practice.

According to her, in order to get it right with the monitoring and reduction of plastic waste in Delta State, there is an urgent need to revisit the Delta State Waste Management Laws for gaps that can hinder the achievement of effective waste management systems in the state.

The meeting featured strategic discussion sessions on the global plastic treaty and the efforts of the Delta State Government in achieving a plastic-free environment in the state.

Also speaking at the meeting, was the Executive Director of CODAF, Benin Richard stated that with the current situation of the country and the state, the total ban of plastic may be an unachievable fit.

He however pointed out that the Delta State government can employ strategic efforts to reduce the use of plastic by monitoring the number of plastics that leak into the state.

Benin suggested that the ministry can start by banning the use of Single-Use Plastics within their office surrounding and gradually extend it to other ministries and the entire secretariat complex.

The Executive Director of GKF, Bawo Akpo stated that the issue of plastic banning or reduction is a commitment that should be prioritized by the government, with the aim of achieving a common goal of Zero plastic.

He suggested that the government can develop mechanisms that will involve the collection of plastics from the people in exchange for health care services in government-owned hospitals and payment of school fees.

On her part, the Director of Climate Change, Delta State Ministry of Environment, Mrs. V.D Briggs commended the organizations for their visit, applauding the solutions presented by the team.

She noted that the team will be invited on another scheduled date for further discussions on the management of plastic waste in Delta State and how to achieve results.

The highlight of the event includes a sensitization road show/campaign around the Asaba metropolis against Open Waste dumping, to commemorate National Environmental Sanitation Day.

The team also made a presentation of the GAIA Nigeria Zero Waste Guidelines Booklet to the Director of Climate Change and also to the Permanent Sectary of the Delta State Ministry of Environment.

Source: ERA/FoEN