BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Mr Benjamin Enwerem
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has set out plans to generate N10.5 million monthly through the pilot implementation of Plastic Waste Value Chain in line with Nigeria's Circular Economy project.
The revenue is expected to be generated through the collection, sorting, processing and installation of waste recycling facilities such as recycling cage, waste bags, sacks, tricycles, digital and hook scale, digital vertical scale, hydraulic bailer and crusher.
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products such as plastics without leakage into the natural environment.
Director of Solid Waste Management North, AEPB, Mr Benjamin Enwerem stated this on Monday at the Awareness Raising Public Seminar on Plastic Circular Economy organised by the AEPB in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
The theme of the programme is: “Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains Through Circular Economy Practices”.
Funded by the Government of Japan in collaboration with UNIDO, the three-year project, which commenced in 2022 and expected to end in 2025, would be integrated into the implementation plan of plastic value chain in Nigeria.
In his presentation titled: "Pilot Implementation of Plastic Waste Collection in Jabi District, Enwerem said that the board is also targeting 5000 households, 35 schools, 40 businesses and 20 shopping malls.
He noted that 90,000kg of plastic waste is estimated to be collected monthly, adding that 70,000kg of plastic waste would be processed at the facility on a monthly basis.
The director informed that AEPB would introduce circular economy at schools like Jabi Government Secondary, primary schools and other private schools.
He hinted that the board would also enlighten both government and privately-owned shopping centers, hotels, business entities, motor parks, worship centres and recreational facilities on the concept of circular economy.
The target waste is single used plastics like PET, pure water sacket and carriage or shopping bags. Other stakeholders like Village Chiefs Resident Association, Commercial and Business Association, FCT Primary and Secondary Schools Education Boards and Hotels Owners Association would be integrated during the project implementation.
Jabi is part of the Phase II of the Abuja Developmental plan, which is located in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
It has mixed residential area with high and low income earners. There are many business, commercial centres, including public and private institutions in the district
Unlike other districts, Jabi is unique because it has five informal indigenous settlement located at the heart of the district.
Enwerem disclosed that from January 2024, AEPB will commence the massive sensitisation of Jabi residents on plastic waste, noting that the board is providing waste collection services in Jabi through one of its city cleaning contractors.
"The company provides house to house waste collection in organised areas, while communal and stationed waste collection services are provided in informal settlements. The services also extended to shopping malls, plazas, schools, offices, institutions and recreational facilities
"Waste generated from organised areas are stored in 240 litres plastic bins prior to collection. Roro bins and designated collection centres are used for waste generated from informal settlements. Business, and commercial centres mostly used 1.1m3 galvanised bins and 5m3 Skip bin
^Waste separation is not being practiced in Jabi district. However, waste pickers who roam the streets in Jabi separate and collect recyclables materials from waste bins and collection points," he said.
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