Experts advocate media training on efficient, cleaner production

Experts have advocated regular media training on efficient cleaner production to improve environment performance, ensure best practices and scale up the industrial revolution in the country.

They also emphasised the need to reduce emissions by about 24 per cent in comparison to 2007 levels as industries account for one-third of total energy consumption and 40 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions globally.

The experts stated this at Phase II of the Capacity Building Workshop for Media Stakeholders under the Nigeria Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) and Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) Project organised by GEF-UNIDO in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Mr Oluyomi Banjo of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Sub-Regional Office Hub for Nigeria and ECOWAS, expressed the need to reduce energy consumption, environmental degradation, and resource depletion by industries in emerging economies.

According to him, India and China accounted for over 80 per cent of increased industrial production since 1990, and the project was collectively developed and submitted by UNIDO on behalf of Nigeria in 2017 under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 programming cycle.

The National Technical Coordinator and Director, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Oluwasegun Osidipe, believed that the project will address the petrochemicals and develop the capacity of the organised private sector on how industries can improve efficiency, increase profitability, and operate at international best standards.

Also, the National Project Coordinator, GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Project, Mr Jacob Oladipo, stated that the media should have a grip on the IEE, and resource-efficient cleaner production methodologies so that they can set agenda, and monitor the implementation by key players. He added that the aim of the project is to support industries to align their operations with the IEE & RECP methodologies.

The national expert on IEE, Olakunle Owoeye, said the programme will facilitate efficient use of energy, and resources and help to minimise environmental impact, energy consumption, and production costs while maximising profitability.”

Also, the National Expert on RECP, Mr Chukwudubem Anyadiegwu, noted that water conservation measures are deployed in the implementation of water-saving technologies, reuse/recycling of water, and optimisation of water usage to enhance efficiency and minimise resource wastage.

He showcased examples of industries or companies that have successfully implemented RECP strategies to minimise waste and maximise efficiency, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits with reduced waste generation, and lower resource consumption.