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The Anambra State Government and Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) have promised to reorganize waste recycling in the state through robust partnership.
This was the outcome of a meeting convened by Ambassador Obuesi Philips recently, whereby the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment,
Engr. Dr. Felix Odimegwu, said the initiative to partner with ASWRA and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria was aimed at reducing waste tons in the state and in turn achieve the clean, green and sustainable vision of the Professor Charles Soludo-led administration.
Odimegwu, who opined that recycling is the way, pointed out that it would prevent the increasing emission of gaseous substances like methane through the constant burning of wastes; said that there were other benefits in recycling which include; direct employment, reduction in the amount of money government spends on evacuation of wastes and management of dump sites, increase IGR among others.
“Plastic wastes take up to 400 years to decay which makes it difficult to manage as a waste. Six thousand tons of solid wastes are generated in the state daily and it’s huge but with this partnership, waste management will now be easier’.
“Anambra State is ready to partner you (recyclers) to help sanitize the state and make it more liveable and prosperous. I believe that with the association in place, we will now have an organised way of picking up wastes and sorting same,” he said.
Continuing, the commissioner stated that upon assumption of office, the Soludo-led administration embarked on clearing of heaps of wastes that littered the state’s streets, roads and others areas.
“We will soon flag off a project called ‘An all Anambra State Plastic Bottle Challenge’ where we will provide incentives for the best community in waste management, first runner up and second runner up. During the commemoration of 2023 World Earth Day, we invited traditional rulers, presidents general (PGs), religious leaders, women and youth leaders among others and charged them to take ownership of waste management in their localities.”
The commissioner urged waste recyclers to come to Anambra.
In his remarks, the convener, ASWRA, Amb Obuesi Philips, expressed happiness that the state government was eager to partner with the association which he said would help in the general cleanup of the state.
Ambassador Obuesi said: “We have three main objectives which is: to mobilise and organise our members and the general.public to promote clean, green and sustainable environment in Anambra State; to harness a sustainable investment and revenue stream for our members while creating a new revenue corridor for Anambra State; to promote the interests of members among government, producers, manufacturers, importers and exporters of all recyclable waste products, donor organizations, non-governmental
organizations, general public and other stakeholders that may impact on the development and general wellbeing of the recycling industry in Anambra State.”
The ASWRA assured of his association’s willingness to invest in the state to help the government of the day achieve its clean and green initiative.
On his own, Akinyemi Oluwafemi of Chikason Group urged government to stop people from burning solid wastes, pointing out that it reduces raw materials for recycling plants and causes pollution.
He pointed out that the chicason recycling plant cannot run optimally because of shortage of material. Despite the fact that we have spent more than N300m on buying plastic waste. Plant running less than 30% due to no raw materials.
Another discussant, Mss Oluchi, appreciated the organizers of the forum while pointing out issues of waste scavenging in Anambra State. She noted as worrisome the rate of scavenging ongoing in the state and called on government to monitor their activities.
