Abuja: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is advocating for a coordinated regional effort among its member states to address the issue of plastic pollution, which it has identified as a 'transboundary challenge'. This call to action was made by Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, during the World Environment Day celebration in Abuja. The event highlighted the theme: 'Together, We Can Beat Plastic Pollution.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Toure-Litse, represented by Mr. Bernard Koffi, the Acting Director for Environment and Natural Resources at ECOWAS, described plastic pollution as a crisis affecting global, regional, and national levels. She reiterated ECOWAS' dedication to tackling this issue through the adoption of the 2023 Regulation C/REG.17/12/23 on plastics management. She emphasized the need for member states to harmonize regulations on plastic products and adopt best practices in managing plastic waste.
Mrs. Toure-Litse assured that ECOWAS is ready to assist member states in unifying environmental standards and promoting green industrialization. She urged for a collective and urgent response to the menace of plastic pollution, highlighting that ECOWAS Vision 2050 recognizes environmental sustainability as a key pillar for inclusive development. She also revealed that a regional plastics management plan, supported by the World Bank, has been drafted to address this pressing issue.
The commissioner pointed out that West Africa produces nearly 8 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, with projections indicating a 52 percent increase in five years. She noted that over 80 percent of this waste is poorly managed, impacting human health, ecosystems, and sectors like fishing and tourism. Despite these challenges, she expressed optimism, citing innovative initiatives across the region, such as the circular economy efforts in Ghana and Nigeria, and plastic bag bans in Senegal and C´te d'Ivoire.
Mrs. Toure-Litse called on stakeholders to invest in eco-innovations and support community-driven waste management solutions. She also emphasized the importance of enforcing environmental regulations and encouraging youth-driven climate action. She concluded by affirming ECOWAS' commitment to collaborating with member states to combat plastic pollution.
Balarabe Lawal, Nigeria's Minister of Environment, echoed these sentiments, stressing the global urgency of addressing plastic pollution, which poses environmental, economic, and public health risks. He highlighted the continuous dumping of plastic waste into bodies of water, which endangers wildlife and exacerbates urban flooding. He noted Nigeria's efforts in tackling plastic waste, emphasizing the broader fight to preserve ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for upcoming generations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the World Environment Day event, jointly organized by ECOWAS and Nigeria's Ministry of Environment, reinforced the shared responsibility and urgency in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis.