By Ngozi Nwankwo
A member , House of Representatives, Deputy Chairman, Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor has said there is a huge potential in the Nigerian recycling sector that could generate resources for Nigeria.
Ugbor said this during his book launch and public presentation of the book “Recycling in Nigeria.”
The book, which he referred to as the first of its kind, was put together to teach Nigerians all they need to know about recycling management and waste to wealth business.
Ugbor said the book would help basically to keep Nigerians starting the culture of recycling, to educate the young people on the practice and procedure of recycling and how they can make a livelihood or Business out of recycling.
The strings of the waste recycling reflected in his book included plastic, tyre, and e-waste, metal waste, waste oil, waste paper, battery waste and others.
Speaking to journalists shortly before the launch, Hon. Terseer Ugbor said, “Meanwhile, there is a huge potential in the sector in the country so we decided to put the book together to encourage more people involved, to create more wealth and jobs and help to deepen the culture of hygiene with recycling in Nigeria.”
“Nigeria generates several thousands of tons of waste every day. These wastes have a lot of value and resources that can be recovered from proper recycling and proper waste management. The job opportunities are enormous- potential for energy and entrepreneurship and once this book is launched we will be mainstreaming this culture and practice in the economy. We will be creating a new generational of entrepreneurs and creating a lot of jobs that will add to GDP.
Speaking further on the importance of proper management of waste recycling, the lawmaker said, “We have proposed amendment of bills. There is a government policy called Extended Producer Responsibility that ensures that every manufactured product in the country must pass through waste recycling procedure, and to achieve this Ministry of Environment along with the NESREA launch EPR programme where all waste strings, every manufacturer, every individual who produces a product must take responsibility of managing entire life cycle of the particular product. So this EPR has mainstream all the regulations and policy in the country and at the national assembly we have proposed a bill EPR act where manufacturer, commercial individuals take responsibility for the waste we generate from our daily activities.”
Earlier, the former Minister of State for Environment, Ms Sharon Ikeazor said the book offers essential guidance on establishing a successful recycling business, creating a resource that provides entrepreneurs, students and policy makers and researchers with practical examples to contribute to Nigerian sustainability.
She said “This book highlights recycling economic and environmental benefits. Showcasing its potential to create jobs, reduce waste and empower communities. It highlights the role of policymakers in climate change, pollution. It underscores the government and institutional support for the thriving recycling sector.”
Ikeazor, therefore, urged the government to give support to the recycling sector as it will create a lot of jobs.
The former Minister said she was inspired reading the book, expressing optimism that the book would inspire the next generation of environmental readers and be an invaluable resource for those in third sustainable development.
