Anambra State Hosts Plastic Waste Summit & Cleanup Challenge on World Clean Up Day

Anambra State Government Holds Plastic Waste Sustainabilty Summit, Rounds Off Maiden Plastic Waste Pick Up Challenge in Commemoration of World Clean Up Day

By Clara Omuluzua Madubike

The 3-In-1intutive Environmental programme which featured: World clean up day, All Anambra Communities plastic pick up challenge and Plastic sustainablity summit was held yesterday16th september 2023 at Hilton leisure hotels Awka Anambra State

The highly anticipated and well attended event which was organized by Anambra State Ministry Of Environment Awka in conjunction with Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA)brought together top government officials (Anambra and in diaspora), Academicians, Civil and Public servants from the Ministry of Environment, Education Institutions (all levels), NYSC, Environmental enthusiasts/NGOs, Business owners,Community Leaders, Asatu youth/women and men wing, Waste management key stakeholders, Waste recyclers in the state and friends of the Environment to discuss measures on how to control plastic Waste pollution while encouraging plastic upcycling, recycling and it’s sustainability.

Speaking virtually, the Minister of State for Environment and Ecology, Dr Ishiaq Adekunle Salako, said that over 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually in Nigeria are posing serious threat to food safety and quality life, he also indicated that plastic is a major contributor to land and water pollution, causing environmental disasters, harming lives and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. He congratulated Anambra State for taking on environmental menace frontally by organising the summit, assuring that the State will benefit from national plans on sustainable waste management when it becomes operational.

He commended His Excellency the Executive Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the vision of a clean, green and sustainable initiative, calling on all stakeholders to come together and put a stop to plastic menace in the country.

On their parts, the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, the Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, Igwe of Akwa Ihedi Community HRH Igwe Colonel rtd Onebunne, Hon. Commissioner For Agriculture and Youth Development counterpart Hon Foster Ifejiofor and Hon. Patrick Agha Mba , Fmr. M.D Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Adejuwon, House Member On Environment Hon. Fred Ezenwa,TC Chairman Orumba South and Dunukofia L.G.A Sir Ogochukwu Ekwueme and Hon Onyemaobi Augustine Nonyelum Asatu President Hon Barr Titus Akpudo among others said that it is important to provide an enabling environment for investments in the recycling business, noting that government is ready to support the efforts geared towards the conversion of waste to wealth, waste to biogas, waste to compost manure, waste to energy and waste to other useful products.

In his address, the Commissioner for Environment, Engr.Dr. Felix Odimegwu said recycling hubs and banks are being set up across Anambra State in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo agenda on waste to wealth, adding that plastic wastes can be taken to these hubs and exchanged for cash or other valuable items.

Contributing, the ASWRA convener, Barrister Philip Obuesi stated that it is necessary for all residents to subscribe to the clean, green and sustainable Anambra by changing their attitudes towards the environment.

The keynote speaker, Bishop. Dr. David Onuoha who addressed the topic “overcoming plastic pollution through community empowerment, capacity building and stakeholders’ participation: A focus on the communities in Anambra State”, listed some of the causes of plastic pollution to include inadequate waste management, consumer behavior, lack of awareness, plastic production, ineffective regulations, packaging practices, natural events and population growth, adding that the sustainability routes include reuse, recycle, reduce, remove, replace and management and value chain initiative.

On side presentation and attraction, various educational institutions in the state came up with educative speeches, poems, and stage plays which was centred on plastic waste sustainabilty, Government Technical College Onitsha also showcased “Upcyclying” items e.g chair, side table made with pet bottles.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards, prizes to companies and communities that participated in the just concluded “All Anambra Communities Plastic Pick Up Challenge”.

Innoson group of companies, Zec recycling hub, Green republic, Chikason recycling hub were given Award of recognition based on their immense contribution in plastic waste recycling in the state

Umueze Anam, Anambra West L.G.A, Okebo Umueri Anambra East L.G.A and Ifite Ogwari Ayamelum, Anambra West L.G.A who came 1st, 2nd and 3rd went home with One million naira, Five hundred thousand naira and two hundred and fifty thousand naira respectively,
special recognition were given to individuals that performed exceedingly well too

With great joy and happiness, Mr Commissioner For Environment stated that the maiden edition of plastic challenge succeded in mopping up thousand tonnes of plastic waste in the 186 communities in the state

“The award and cash gift is a way of appreciating and encouraging all communities that participated, and to urge others to follow suit. The All Anambra Communities Plastic Pick-up Challenge has come to stay, and will surely be sustained in Anambra State”

“Just like the theme of the World clean up day 2023 says…”Let’s do it world…let’s us continue to do it Umunne m Ndi Anambra” Engr Odimegwu assured