By Izunna Okafor


Owing to its enormous environmental and economic importance, case has been made for establishment of Waste Recycling Plant In Anambra State.

The member representing Nnewi North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor, made the call during a plenary session at the floor of the House, where he also sponsored a motion to that effect.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Okafor who emphasized on the need for Anambra to leverage on the critical mass of solid waste being generated in different parts of the state especially in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, also maintained that setting up such a plant will bring about recycling of those solid waste and processing them into raw materials.

In his word, "With the estimated daily generation of 950,000 tons of waste in Anambra State, and with our position as the second state with highest population density in Nigeria, Anambra State must find a more strategic and proactive approach to be adopted in tackling the surging waste generated from different households, institutions and business premises on daily basis."

"Unfortunately, our idea of waste management in the state, is open dumping, burning and landfill, which are all threats to our environment and climate. Whether degradable or biodegradable, our waste should be a wealth to our state," he said.

He noted that the current practice of lumping all waste both bio-degradable and others would not ensure a clean Anambra which the current government is serious working towards, and further argued that the current waste management method of the state is not climate-friendly.

He said, "While degradable wastes can be used as organic fertilizers in agriculture, the non-degradable waste which mostly are nylon bags, pieces of metal scraps, used tyres, rubbers, papers, bottles, plastics, glasses, toxic chemicals, when recycled will bring raw materials that will be used for production."

On the benefits that could bring, Hon. Okafor who was also former Chairman of National Youth Council, Anambra State Chapter, said, "The building of this recycling plant will create employment opportunities directly and indirectly through the value chain, will help lower greenhouse gas emissions which cause serious climatic changes, lower production costs and boost the economy of the state.

He therefore called in the State Governor, H.E. Chief Dr. Willie Obiano to set up a waste recycling plant in the state, in line with international best practices

He equally advised the State Government to encourage the private sector to invest in waste management in the state, be it in waste collection or waste recycling.