Technoserve’s Program Manager for the Nigerian Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA), Benneth Obasiohia, has said that the partnership with Anambra State Government to address packaging waste pollution is expected to create 6,000 indirect jobs in Anambra’.
Obasiohia stated this at a one-day Anambra Plastic Waste Recycling Stakeholders workshop organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), focusing on “beating packaging plastic waste pollution in Anambra by 2025.”
He said the project is expected to create 6,000 indirect job, mostly, for women and vulnerable people in the state and that the project which will last for two years will also generate 4.8 million US dollars.
He noted that NPSA is also collaborating with Ministry of Environment, Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association ASWRA, Financial Institutions and other relevant stakeholders who are willing to support the project to keep Anambra State clean, green and safe.
According to him, “Partnering with the Anambra government for this recycling workshop is a testament to our shared commitment to a sustainable future with reduced packaging waste pollution.
“Plastics, as we all know, have become a part of our everyday lives, providing numerous benefits but also presenting significant challenges. Plastic pollution has reached alarming levels globally, and Nigeria, unfortunately, is a significant pollutant, ranking as the ninth highest contributor to global plastics waste. With approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and a staggering 88 percent of this waste remaining unrecycled, we face a critical challenge. This excess plastic not only clogs our waterways but also endangers our ecosystems, marine life, and public health by releasing harmfull toxins into our environment.
“To address the challenges of plastic pollution, the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with the Coca-Cola Foundation to design the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA), a transformative initiative being implemented by TechnoServe Nigeria in Anambra and Lagos States.
“Over the next two years, the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity will target the recycling of 49.000 metric tons of plastic waste from Anambra and Lagos States. Of this total target, we will be expecting to recycle 29,000 metric tons from Anambra state alone. To achieve this, the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity aims to provide support through capacity building and equipment to at least 20 plastic waste aggregators and about 9,000 new plastic waste collectors in Anambra State.
“A significant goal of this initiative is to boost local economies and provide sustainable livelihoods by creating new jobs, especially for women and youth, as well as generating enduring income.
“The 4-million-dollar investment from USAID and Coca-Cola Foundation towards this initiative highlights and demonstrates the strength of collaborative action. We, therefore, use this opportunity to send a clarion call to all stakeholders in Anambra state – the State Government, Local Governments, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, business owners to work with us in this concerted effort to clear plastic waste from our streets and waterways.
“This collaboration is critical to ensuring the success of the project, and in attaining the ultimate goals of protecting the environment, providing jobs, and keeping our children healthy.
The success of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA) depends on each of us playing our part whether through policy advocacy, provision of land, community engagement and awareness, or personal commitment to reducing plastic waste in Anambra, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, Obasiohia stated.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the State Government, the Commissioner for Envirmement, Engr Felix Odimegwu, explain that plastic waste management is a critical issue that affects not only the health of our environment but also the well-being of our communities. Anambra State, under the leadership of Mr. Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, has been actively pursuing policies and projects aimed at reducing waste, promoting recycling, and fostering a culture of sustainability.
“The introduction of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity in our state is a testament to our ongoing efforts and a significant step forward in our journey towards a cleaner and greener Anambra.
During the event, participants including the Board Chairman of ASWAMA, Prof. Emma Ezewaji, Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mike Ozemena, Dr. Ezeanokwasa, Prof Ike Uzochukwu, Prince Chris Azor and the Senior Business Adviser of Nigeria Plastics Solutions Activity, Mr. Nwaribe Franklin, established that public-private participation, alongside proper investment and policy incentives, were critical foundations in pushing recycling standards across the Industry.
