FG eyes private sector investments in plastic management

The Federal Government has launched a roadmap to tackle plastic pollution in the country, expressing hope that private-sector investors will invest in plastic waste management.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership and the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of Nigeria NPAP, Balarabe Lawal, said the event is an important aspect of Nigeria’s circular economy.

The event was themed, ‘Towards a System Change in Plastic Pollution: A Roadmap for the Sustainable Use of Plastics in Nigeria’.

Lawal said, “As one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, Nigeria faces a significant challenge in managing the large volume of plastic waste being generated in the country. This challenge also creates a wealth of opportunities for a massive circular economy across the plastic waste management value chain.

“This is where we can stimulate job creation, foster the establishment of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, and attract private sector investment, including foreign direct investment through building the necessary infrastructure for the plastic economy.

 “In February 2021, Nigeria proudly joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership, a global initiative aimed at advancing efforts to combat plastic pollution. We became the first country to join this body after a year and a half.”

The minister stated that in May last year, the environment ministry and GPAP launched the Nigerian International Plastic Action Partnership as a locally-led, multi-stakeholder platform.

He said the platform is dedicated to driving action-oriented collaboration between the government, private sector, civil society, academia, international partners, and other local stakeholders to design and implement a sustainable solution.

The Director of Global Plastic Action Partnership, WEF, Ms Clemence Schmid, said that since 2021, the Nigeria NPAP has served as an essential platform uniting key actors across the plastic value chain and driving impact-proof multi-stakeholder action.

 “We celebrate the participation and leadership of six diverse communities, including the NPAP steering board co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Environment and our Air Force. Today’s event represents more than just a launch. It is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to forging a cleaner and more sustainable future for Nigeria,” Schmid said.

She said that with 175 nations now working towards a UN legally binding instrument to end public pollution, their goal is to convince stakeholders across sectors and inspire inclusive, evidence-based efforts that will cultivate a circular economy for best effects.