By Boyo Olumide
The Federal Government has launched a five-year project in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility, GEF, and the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, aimed at reducing pollution from single-use plastic sachet water in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor, stated this at the inception meeting of the project titled “Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria, in Abuja.
Professor Barikor said Nigeria consumes over 2.5 billion litres of sachet water annually, produced by more than 32,000 manufacturers nationwide.
He explained that while sachet water has improved access to safe drinking water, it has also contributed significantly to environmental challenges such as blocked drainages, flooding, ecosystem degradation, and threats to public health and biodiversity.
He described the project as a major milestone in addressing plastic pollution, particularly from sachet water, while balancing the need for safe and affordable drinking water.
Also speaking, the Senior Environmental Specialist and Plastic Reboot Coordinator at GEF, Evelyn Swain, represented by Ann Blanpain, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in reducing single-use plastic pollution, noting that Nigeria is well positioned as a leader in the global fight against plastic waste.
The UNEP Representative, Isabella Vanderbeck, described Nigeria as a key agent of change in global efforts to eliminate plastic pollution, stressing that sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics are both necessary and achievable.
The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Plastic Reboot Nigeria Project.
