FCTA Assures Stakeholders Of Recycling Plastic Waste In Abuja

By: Janet Peni, Darlington Omotoso, & Arthur Ogbo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has restated its commitment to the recycling of plastic waste to protect the environment and safeguard the lives of residents of the Territory.

Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Olusade Adesola stated this during a seminar organized by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Monday at Conference Hall, Federal Capital Development Authority, (FCDA, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.

Adesola said the Administration is desirous of a sustainable plastic value chain through circular economic practices, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Health and Human Services,
Secretariat, Malam Noel Haruna, said plastic pollution has become endemic.

He lamented that drainage channels, canals, and waterways are littered with various types of plastic waste which needs urgent attention.

According to him, the damage and blockage caused by indiscriminate dumps of plastic has resulted in environmental pollution hence, need to increase awareness of plastic management as an adaptation strategy to Climate Change.

Adesola said, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board is tasked with the environmental management of the territory and in conjunction with UNIDO through the Japanese Government is greatly concerned about the danger posed by this challenge and has resolved to raise cautiousness of stakeholders to contribute their quota in reducing and managing the hazards of plastic waste.

Also speaking at the event, Director AEPB, Engr. Osilamah Braimah, represented by Hajia Zainab Umar, Director of Environmental Conservation, AEPB, said the Board has plans and activities laid down for the protection of public health and the environment in general.

Braimah assured that some facilities have been developed for the successful Management of solid waste in the FCT such as; Transfer stations, the AEPB Blue Bin Program, a Plastic Recycling plant, and a Bailing plant, amongst others.

In his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, Environment and Energy, UNIDO, Mr. Oluyomi Banjo, said the Circular Economy is an industrial economy that returns products, parts, and materials into use several times along value chains.

He explained that based on principles, products are designed to last in value and be maintained for as long as possible while the generation of waste and pollution are minimized and renewable energy is remitted.

Banjo further assured assurance that UNIDO is ready to work with AEPB to strengthen its Data Management System by fully engaging digitization for greater efficiency.