Collaboration Identified as Key to Combating Plastic Waste Pollution in Anambra State
...as Stakeholders Brainstorm in Symposium to Mark World Environment Day
By Benjamin Ogbuagu
Stakeholders in the Environment Sector gathered in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on June 6, to brainstorm on issues concerning plastic waste pollution in Anambra State; The challenges and the resultant effects on our environment, as well as the way forward.
The symposium was organized by the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) in collaboration with the Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) and the Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP Foundation) to mark the 2025 World Environment Day.
In a keystone address to mark the event, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odimegwu speaking on the topic, "Citizen’s participation in solving the plastic pollution challenge in Anambra State”, called for an attitudinal change on the part of citizens; a conscious effort toward reducing our plastic waste from source.
The Commissioner eulogized Governor Chukwuma Soludo for being very intentional with issues concerning the environment. According to him, Anambra State today ranks the 4th cleanest state in Nigeria.
He noted that environmental compliance is an all encompassing arrangement, calling on the local government areas, churches, schools as well as other institutions to play their expected roles in this fight against plastic waste pollution.
Delivering his opening Remarks, the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, said that the symposium aims to address plastic pollution, which is one of the environmental challenges bedeviling Anambra State.
The MD called for a collaborative effort between the citizens as well as with partners such as the Coca-Cola foundation, Technoserve, and others in tackling this menace. He observed that plastic waste tarnishes the beauty of our state and poses health risks to our well-being. However, this narrative can be changed by citizens embracing progressive practices and advocating for a cleaner environment, such as participating in local clean-up exercises, supporting local recycling initiatives, and spreading awareness that creates ripple effects on our neighborhood.
Earlier in a welcome address, the chairman of the ASWAMA Board, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, called on all stakeholders to see the task of protecting our environment as a shared responsibility. According to him, the little we do in our various corners can go a long way in changing the narrative.
Speaking on the topic “Corporate Organization’s Participation in solving the plastic Pollution challenge in Anambra State”, the representative of Coca-Cola Foundation, Mrs. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, again opined that the task is a shared responsibility and should not be left for the government alone. She harped on the need for collaborative effort toward economic growth whereby corporate organizations participate in building entrepreneurs who will become aggregators that will recycle these wastes within our immediate communities and thereby leaving the citizens in no doubt as to where and how to dispose of their plastic wastes.
Rev. Fr. Jude Ezeanokwasa of the faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University while taking the symposium on the paper “Understanding the new Anambra State Environmental law (2024)” commended the State Government and House of Assembly for repealing all the previously isolated environmentally related laws and bringing them together under the new Anambra State Environmental law.
He observed that this will give room for a more efficient implementation of waste management in the state. He, however, urged the government and the supervising Ministry against usurping the powers of the implementing agencies, and when that happens, the environmental law is as good as dead on arrival.
The symposium also featured goodwill messages from the Coca-Cola Foundation, Technoserve, SWEEP Foundation, ASWRA, and the Environmental Society of Nigeria. In all their messages, they underscored the need for partnership in achieving set goals. Panel discussionists also reacted to questions on plastic waste management, the socio-cultural angle to the issues, as well as proffered solutions toward building a proper database of plastic waste generation in the state.
*Benjamin is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
More photos below.
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