By Ola Kay
The federal government has mandated plastic products manufacturers and bottling companies to cease operations within residential and restricted areas, calling on them to take responsibility for the waste generated from their products nationwide.
The directives formed part of resolutions adopted at the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment (NCE), Nigeria’s highest advisory body on environmental matters, which was held in Katsina State from 15 to 17 December.
The national council was chaired by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal and approved the measures following a review of environmental risks associated with mining activities, plastic pollution and public health hazards across the country.
On mining, pollution and public safety, according to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the council approved that legal and regulatory bodies should restrict the establishment of mineral processing companies within residential and restricted areas in all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The council also mandated that plastic manufacturers and plastic bottling companies adopt the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, requiring them to take responsibility for the collection and management of plastic waste arising from their activities.
Experts in attendance cautioned that unregulated mineral processing and plastic waste pollution will continue to pose serious threats to human health, ecosystems and urban safety, particularly in densely populated communities.
On the need to strengthening environmental regulation, the council further ordered that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) structures be established in all state ministries of environment, while stressing that the federal government would continue to retain the authority to issue EIA certificates.
The council also directed states to nominate EIA focal officers and formally communicate their nominations to the Federal Ministry of Environment to strengthen coordination and compliance.
In response to environmental and health concerns in extractive communities, the council noted the need to introduce public health screening protocols in mining communities and to require livelihood restoration plans as part of mine closure processes.
And, as part of efforts to improve sanitation and environmental health,the National Council on Environment approved that all state governments establish faecal sludge management plants, aimed at accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
Similarly, the NCE approved increased collaboration between state governments and the Federal Ministry of Environment on the National Clean Air Programme. It endorsed the deployment of robust air and water quality monitoring systems in industrial zones.
As part of broader efforts to curb toxic pollution, the council also approved the substitution of mercury, cyanide and other poisonous chemicals used in gold extraction, citing their harmful effects on humans, animals and the natural environment.
On matters relating to climate action and waste management the council ordered the integration of climate change assessments into the Environmental Impact Assessment process, with particular emphasis on the Niger Delta region.
It also approved the development of a National Framework for the Environmentally Sound Management of Used Tyres in Nigeria, alongside the establishment of a certification scheme for refrigeration and air-conditioning practitioners.
As a sort of support for Nigeria’s climate commitments, the council approved measures to provide technical and regulatory support to states to maximise economic benefits from carbon credit opportunities.
The communiqué was unanimously adopted at the close of proceedings on Wednesday.
The 18th NCE meeting, themed “Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” attracted 312 participants, including commissioners responsible for the environment from the 36 states, permanent secretaries, heads of environment-related agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, academics and journalists.
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