The Member Representing Nnewi North in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor has called on the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano to set up a waste recycling plant in Anambra State in line with international best practices.
According to the lawmaker, with the estimated daily generation of 950, 000 tons of waste in Anambra State, and with the state’s position as the second state with highest population density in Nigeria, Anambra State must find a more strategic and proactive approach to be adopted in tackling the surging waste generated from different households, institutions and business premises on daily basis.
Hon. Nonso Okafor who has earlier presented a motion calling on the Governor to set up a waste recycling plant in Anambra State in line with international best practices, on Wednesday, 18th March, 2020, during the plenary session of Anambra State House of Assembly, pressed on the need that Anambra State must leverage on the critical mass of solid waste being generated in the state especially in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, by building a plant that will recycle solid waste and bring out raw materials.
He bemoaned on the idea of waste management in the state, which encourages open dumping, burning and landfill, which he said is a threat to the environment and climate. He noted that whether degradable or biodegradable, waste should be a wealth to the state.
Read Also: Flood: Nonso Okafor Seeks For Government Intervention In Nnewi.
He explained that the practice of lumping all waste both bio-degradable and others will not ensure a clean Anambra, which the current government is working towards, saying that the current waste management method of the state is not climate-friendly.
He emphasized that while degradable wastes can be used as organic fertilizers in agriculture, the non-degradable waste which mostly are nylon bags, pieces of metal scraps, used tyres, rubbers, papers, bottles, plastics, glasses, toxic chemicals, when recycled will bring raw materials that will be used for production.
He added that building of this recycling plant will create employment opportunities directly and indirectly through the value chain, which will help lower greenhouse gas emissions which cause serious climatic changes, lower production costs and boost the economy of the state.
He said that government must encourage the private sector to invest in waste management, whether in waste collection or recycling.
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