Waste Management: Minister for State, Environment calls for stakeholders collaboration

Naomi Gabriel —

In a programme organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), at the 11th National Regulatory Dialogue on Implementation of National Environmental Regulations, in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Chief (Mrs) Sharon Ikeazor yesterday urged all environment stakeholders to collaborate for effective implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme, to ensure strong waste management practices in the country.

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She also urged industries and the general public to cooperate with government at all levels to comply with all national environmental legislations and ensure hitch free implementation of the programme for sustainable development.

According to Chief Ikeazor, all producers should take responsibility for incorporating environmental concerns in the design, process and disposal of their products, including the packaging.

“Industry and business people should be responsible for sustained awareness creation on EPR and for robust campaigns, she expressed.

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“NESREA should commence immediate implementation of EPR schemes in Nigeria with the goal of addressing different waste streams. Government at all levels should work together to eliminate areas of conflict to ensure successful EPR implementation.

“These framework actions on effective collaboration approach between governments on all levels, businessmen and the public will achieve a zero-waste society in the near future”, she confirmed.