Abia State has emerged as the second-best performing state in Nigeria’s Circular Economy initiatives, ranking just behind Lagos State at the European Union/United Nations Industrial Development Organisation-sponsored Circular Economy Week held in Lagos.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment participated in the weeklong programme hosted at the Lagos Continental Hotel. The high-level event brought together policy makers, environmental experts, and key stakeholders from across Nigeria to evaluate progress in sustainable waste management and circular economy policies.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, who represented Abia State at the event made a detailed pitch highlighting the state government’s contributions to advancing the Circular Economy in Nigeria.
He outlined major policies and actions of the Dr. Alex Otti led administration in Circular Economy ranging from the amendment of the Environmental Basic Law, amendment of the Abia Public Health Law with emphasis on waste control and sanitation to the formulation of policies on solid waste and scrap metal management regulations.
According to the Commissioner, other notable actions of the Abia State government in Circular Economy are the engagement of the private sectors in waste management leading to the growth of informal markets, embarking on awareness, advocacy and orientation campaigns, and “Catch Them Young” environmental advocacy initiative.
Following presentations and technical evaluations, Abia State’s contributions were adjudged the second-best performing state in Nigeria’s circular economy framework, with Lagos Lagos State taking first place.
A major highlight of the Circular Economy Week was the validation of the National Policy on Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment Waste Management. The policy was endorsed by participating states in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
