From Idu Jude, Abuja
In compliance with the Federal Government’s ban on single-use plastics in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Wednesday commended the sensitisation of the management and staff on the new policy.
The sensitisation workshop, which was organised with the support of the European Union, also had in attendance support staff of the agency, including janitors and security personnel.
Addressing the participants through the Agency’s Director in charge of Inspection and Enforcement, Mr. Abdulsalam Isa, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, said the ban was part of the Federal Government’s effort to address the menace of plastic pollution and its determination to promote effective policies on public health, environmental sustainability, and protection of the ecosystem nationwide.
“This ban became necessary to minimise the public health, sanitation, and environmental hazards to which humans and the environment are exposed due to the increasing use of SUPs such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, Styrofoam packaging, plastic bags, sachet water, and straws.”
He said the staff training marked the kick-off of the sensitisation on the ban. “The campaign must start with us, the management and staff of NESREA, as the promoters of sustainable consumption and production. Let us make conscious efforts to comply.”
Discussing the Implementation Strategy for the Ban on Single-Use Plastics in the Facilities of Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, the EU Facilitator, Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi, listed the provision of water dispensers, provision of water bottles, and branded sample shopping bags for staff as some of the first steps Federal MDAs could take towards the effective implementation of the policy.