The Federal Ministry of Environment is taking significant steps to eliminate single-use plastics in the country. This initiative begins with ceasing the use of single-use plastics at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
The decision was reached during a two-day ministerial/top management retreat held in Kaduna, with the theme ‘Policy Embedment and Synergy of Prioritised Action for a Renewed Hope in Environmental Management.’ The retreat brought together directors, heads of agencies, programs, and special projects of the ministry.
A key outcome of the retreat was the establishment of a “Circular Nigeria Committee” tasked with implementing the country’s circular economy roadmap.
Chaired by Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, the committee will gradually discontinue the use of single-use plastics, starting from the ministry and its agencies.
The communique, signed by Mallam Stanley Jonah, Director Planning Research and Statistics of the Ministry, outlines the committee’s focus on sustainable waste management and the implementation of the circular economy roadmap.
It also highlights priorities such as mentorship, institutional knowledge transfer, and an effective succession plan.
Furthermore, the retreat emphasizes the discontinuation of single-use plastics within the Federal Ministry of Environment and its agencies to foster a culture of waste reduction.
Staff are encouraged to lead by example, implementing personal climate actions in their environment.
Timely procurement plans will be crucial, and the need to reinforce forest guards aligns with the President’s vision to secure forests from bandits.
Attended by 83 delegates from various departments, agencies, programs, and special projects, as well as critical stakeholders, the ministerial retreat underscores the ministry’s commitment to environmental priorities and sustainable practices.
