By Ngozi Nwankwo
A member , House of Representatives, Deputy Chairman, Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor has said there is a huge potential in the Nigerian recycling sector that could generate resources for Nigeria.
Ugbor said this during his book launch and public presentation of the book “Recycling in Nigeria.”
The book, which he referred as the first of its kind, was put together to teach Nigerians all they need to know about recycling management and waste to wealth business.
Ugbor said the book would help basically to keep Nigerians start the culture of recycling , to educate the young people on the practice and procedure of recycling and how they can make a livelihood or Business out of recycling.
The strings of the waste recycling reflected in his book included
plastic, tyre , e-waste, metal waste, waste oil, waste paper, battery waste, and others.
Speaking to journalist shortly before the launch, Hon. Terseer Ugbor said, ” Meanwhile, there is a huge potential in the sector in the country so we decided to put the book together to encourage more people involved, to create more wealth and job and help to deep in the culture of hygiene with the recycling in Nigeria.
“Nigeria generate several thousands of tons of waste every day. This wastes have a lot of value and resource that can be recovered from proper recycling and proper waste management . The job opportunities are enormous- potential for energy and entrepreneurship and once this book is launched we be mainstreaming this culture and practice in economy. We will be creating a new generational of entrepreneurs and creating a lot jobs that will add to GDP.
Speaking further on the important of proper management of waste recycling, the lawmaker said, ” We have proposed amendment of bills. There is a government policy called Extended Producer Responsibility that ensures that every manufactured product in the country must pass through waste recycling procedure, and to achieve this Ministry of Environment along with the NESREA launch EPR programme where all waste strings, every manufacturer, every individual who produces a product must take responsibility of managing entire life cycle of the particular product. So this EPR has mainstream all the regulations and policy in the country and at the national assembly we have proposed a bill EPR act where manufacturer, commercial individuals take responsibility of waste we generate from our daily activities.”
Earlier, the former Minister of State for Environment, Ms Sharon Ikeazor said the
book offers essential guidance on establishing successful recycling business, creating a resource that provides entrepreneurs, students and policy makers and researchers with practical examples to contributing to Nigerian sustainability.
She said “This books highlights recycling economic and environment benefits. Showcasing its potential to create jobs, reduce waste and empower communities. It highlights the role of policymakers in the climate change, pollution. It underscores the government and institutional support for thriving recycling sector.”
Ikeazor, therefore, urged the government to give support to recycling sector as it will create a lot of jobs.
The former Minister said she was inspired reading the book, expressing optimistic that the book would inspire the next generation of environmental readers and invaluable resource for those in third sustainable development .
“Federal government has significant stands towards advancing circular economy through the extended Producer Responsible framework, EPR.
We encourage manufacturers to be accountable for their products from production to post consumption waste. Additionally, NESREA support recycling and actively resources recovery initiatives, fostering collaboration between government, private sector and civil society. This connective work of hon Terseer Ugbor aligns with Nigerian’s quest for sustainable goals and strengthen transition to sustainable low waste economy. Together, let us sustain our share journey towards a cleaner and more prosperous Nigeria,” she said.