In a decisive move to tackle the growing environmental and public health risks posed by chemicals and poor waste handling, the Federal Government has pledged to strengthen its capacity in chemical and waste management for effective implementation of international conventions on chemicals.

The Federal Government made the pledge on Wednesday at the inception workshop of the United Nations Environment Programme special project on strengthening national infrastructural and human capital for sound chemicals and waste management in Nigeria.

The objectives of the three-year project implemented by the National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in collaboration with UNEP are to enhance the capacity of regulatory agencies, strengthen human and infrastructural capacities, promote collaboration between governments, entities, industries and civil societies, and develop mechanisms to track and manage chemicals effectively, among others.

The intended outcomes of the project include developing a new national regulation, automating the chemical tracking system, developing Nigerian industrial standards for environmentally sound management of chemicals and strengthening the capacity of national environmental laboratories, among others.

The Director General of NESREA, Prof Innocent Barikor, reiterated that the workshop marks the beginning of translating plans into action, policies into practice, and challenges into sustainable solutions.

Barikor, who was represented by the Director of Inspection and Enforcement at NESREA, Dr Christopher Beka, said, “Nigeria, as a rapidly industrialising nation, faces escalating risks from improper chemicals and waste management. From hazardous industrial effluents to electronic waste and expired chemicals, the threats to our environment, public health, and socio-economic stability are undeniable.

“This project is not merely a response to these challenges; it is a proactive step toward building a resilient system that safeguards our people, ecosystems, and future generations. By aligning with global frameworks such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, as well as the Global Framework for the Sound Management of Chemicals, and the Minamata Convention, we reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices and sustainable development.

“The project’s objectives are clear and ambitious, aiming to strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks for chemicals and waste management, enhance the capacities of regulatory agencies, industry actors, and other stakeholders, and improve national infrastructure for monitoring, disposal, and recycling. Additionally, it seeks to foster collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and international partners, while ensuring gender mainstreaming to address the needs of women and marginalised groups.”

He called for collective expertise and commitment from stakeholders for the success of the project.

“This initiative is not just a project for NESREA or UNEP; it is a national imperative. Let us work with urgency, precision, and a shared sense of purpose,” he added.

In his goodwill message, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lagos, Lagos State, Lucian Chukwu, pointed out that while Nigeria has had various initiatives and frameworks for managing waste, these efforts are often scattered across different agencies, leading to implementation challenges.

He, however, welcomed the new initiative, supported by UNEP, as a way to harmonise and adapt international frameworks for managing chemicals and waste in Nigeria.

“It is imperative that appropriate guidelines and models that are standardised will be developed through this project. So, we are now at periodic training for individuals, organisations, in terms of training trainers, and that can be cascaded down in various plans, in various organisations,” he added.

Speaking on chemical management in Nigeria, Dr Beka emphasised the need for a systematic approach throughout the chemical life cycle.

He said the initiative calls for oversight from the point of production or importation through to disposal.

He said, “Production, importation, transportation, use, storage and disposal is the life cycle of a chemical in a situation.

“If producers do as they want if importers do as they like, there will be serious public implications.”

He called for better coordination among agencies and integration of international best practices and stressed the need for sustainable development and learning from global examples, including the EU, the US, Canada, and fellow African nations.


https://punchng.com/fg-to-strengthen-chemical-waste-management/