The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator, Mathias Schmale has called on the Nigerian government to seek a new approach to plastic packaging and vigorously implement environmental policies that would address plastic pollution.
Schmale who was represented by UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria Mohamed Yahya at a forum to mark the 50th World Environment Day in Abuja said 88 percent of plastic waste generated in Nigeria ends up in oceans resulting in devastating consequences on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
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It’s the 50th celebration of the world environment day and like every other year since the celebration began in 1973, stakeholders are again joining the world in raising voices against the menace of plastic pollution currently threatening the environment and biodiversity.
Statistics from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) show that about 400 million tonnes of plastics are produced globally every year. Of this, only about 10 percent is recycled.
Nigeria ranks ninth globally among countries with the highest contribution to plastic pollution with about 2.5 million tonnes generated annually.
For speakers at this gathering, Nigeria needs effective policies and strategies to push investment into the sector if the problem is to be addressed.
The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is “Solutions to Plastic Pollution’.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
