NESREA to actualise SDGs, implement circular economy

The National Environmental Standard Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has set up mechanisms aimed at actualising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the circular economy in the country.

Speaking at a Media Dialogue sponsored by the European Union in Abuja, the Director General, Innocent Barikor, stated that the agency is aligning with the country’s climate action, ensuring responsible consumption and production, innovation, and infrastructure, decent work and economic growth, and clean water and sanitation.

Barikor also stated that NESREA has synchronised its activities with the Bola Tinubu administration’s eight-point agenda, particularly in the areas of economic growth and job creation, food security and ending poverty. He added that the government is developing policies, programmes, and partnerships to support the circular economy.

“Nigeria was already reaping the benefits of circular economy with the green jobs created along the value chain in the different sectors. Gradually, people will begin to see a reduction in waste management and other forms of pollution in the country.

“Battery, Food and Beverage, Electrical/Electronics and Used Tyres have come under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme and all manufacturers, producers, and importers in these sectors are mandated to subscribe to their relevant Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO),” he said.

Barikor said the dialogue is intended to raise more awareness of circular economy among the stakeholders, especially, the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to have a better understanding of the concept and its numerous benefits to the country.

Speaking on “The place of Media in Circular Economy Value Chain,” the European Union Facilitator, Mr Agharese Onaghise, noted that the media are catalysts for change as they can influence people’s perceptions and behaviour through information dissemination.

He explained that the media can equally create awareness in terms of education, empowerment, and promotion of a culture of environmental responsibility, as well as contribute to sustainable development in the country.

NESREA Director, Inspection and Enforcement, Abdulsalam Isa, said the EPR Programme is based on the principle that creating a closed-loop system where waste is minimised, and products and materials remain in use for as long as possible.

Also, NESREA Director, Partnership and Education, Mrs Bintu Mohammed, pointed out that the National Environmental Regulations had been reviewed to provide the necessary legal backing for the success of the programme.