The United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO), has challenged the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) to ensure the enforcement of National Policy on Waste Management developed by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Mr Jean Bakole, the Regional Director, UNIDO gave the advice on the sidelines of the roundtable talk and exhibition on Plastic Waste Management in Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja organised by WAMASON FCT Council on
Bakole represented by Mr Yomi Banjo, Environment expert of UNIDO regional office described the policy as important document that could ease the operation of the society.
“We supported the ministry of environment in developing National policy on solid waste management and this is a very important policy to WAMASON.
“I call on the society to ensure in the revitalisation of this policy, you should ensure that this policy is approved and it becomes a legal document which you could use as an insurance for your operation.
“You can’t overemphasised the synergy between the organised private sector and the government. Whatever policy that is formulated cannot be successful if the private sector is not included in that policy.
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“So, it is important that whenever government is formulating its policy, regulations and legislation that it carries the private sector along like the WAMASON,” Bakole said.
Bakole, who described the society as key to achieving zero waste however urged members to take the bull by the horn by displaying management skills associated with plastic waste to the populace.
He further urged them to collaborate with government in any policy and programme to ensure that plastic waste was seen as huge resources and valuable industrial material rather than refuse.
According to him, waste is not just about dumping refuse, is converting resources that you think are not useful to you to resources that are useful to another set of people in the industry.