(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/NOA-logo-300x192.jpg) The Permanent Secretary, Ecological fund Office (EFO), Engr. Goni M. Sheikh has given an assurance that the EFO is ready to partner with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to actualize the Agency's plan towards developing a robust environmental awareness' strategy on solid waste management and community action plan.
The Permanent Secretary gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to his Office on Tuesday 26th June, 2013 by a delegation from the NOA, led by its Director General, Dr. Mike Omeri.
The Permanent Secretary who advocated ban on use of plastic bags in Nigeria, declared that "non-biodegradable plastic materials especially, polythene bags constitute the greatest man-made cause of flooding in Nigeria"; and that time has come to arrest the situation. He affirmed that only sustainable efforts that carry everybody along, through inculcation of healthy environmental habits can lead to the desired attitudinal change.
He seized the opportunity to inform the public that the EFO in partnership with the private sector and some State governments already have an integrated waste disposal programme in place, and that efforts are being intensified to fast track it, because of its potential to provide employment, generate income and sanitize the nation's poor waste disposal practices.
Earlier on, Dr. Omeri has solicited for assistance and partnership of the EFO in the implementation of its solid waste management and environmental orientation community prevention plan under the catch phrase "Do the right thing: Avoid dirt. Be clean." Apart from seeking financial assistance in funding specific elements of the project, the Director General also canvassed for EFO's participation during the national launch of the programme and unveiling of the bin alongside other stakeholders.
According to the Director General, NOA has designed this project around an eco-friendly interactive communication bin called the Word Waste Bin (WWB) which is a sorting bin with appropriate reflective colours that communicate environmental conservation messages leading to waste recycling. He also explained that the scheme has a youth participation component, as it will be supervised by youths from the Agency's citizen Responsibility Volunteer Scheme called Environmental Marshals, who are empowered to organize communities on waste management and environmental care.
He further explained that his Agency plans to engage its stakeholders in the production, procurement, distribution, maintenance and community mobilization for the success of this action plan and that twelve states made up of six flood prone and six non flood prone States have so far been selected as pilot States. They are to receive 1,000 bins each to be used in 2 urban areas and 10 wards.
While lauding the initiative, the Director (Drought and Desertification Control Dept. EFO), Mr. Kola Oluwatuyi called for concerted efforts on the part of stakeholders to achieve a seamless programme saying experience has shown that refuse bins provided in many urban cities are often not sufficient, and they are allowed to be filled to the brim without being disposed of, thereby constituting eye sore and environmental nuisance all over the place.
Mr. Jude Mekwunye, the Director Soil and Erosion Flood Control Department of EFO, also suggested an integrated approach that involves the 3E's of education, engineering and enforcement as requisite panacea to the country's solid waste disposal problems.
Among those who joined the Permanent Secretary EFO to receive the NOA team, were Mr. Habib Dankadai (Director in the PS Office), Mr. S I Yakasai (Director, Pollution Control), Mr. Kola Oluwatuyi (Director, Drought and Desertification Control) and Mr. Jude Mekwunye (Director Soil Erosion and Flood Control).
The NOA Director General was also accompanied by Engr. D.B. Gambo (NEMA Director, Training), Mr. B.I. Tagawa (Director, PRS), Dr. Akindeji Folaki (Team Leader, Climate Change & Environment) and Messers Simeon Imoko, Ali Kolomi, Chika Ebugha and Taiwo Akinyemi.
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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria