Abia State government says the circular economy project is designed to create jobs and elevate the status of the state economically by creating wealth.
The State commissioner for environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna stated this while Interacting with newsmen in Umuahia during a workshop which was part of the second segment after EU-UNIDO carried out the first assessment among the 36 states of the federation to select four core states to qualify for the program, of which Abia qualified to benefit from the project sponsored by EU-UNIDO.
According to Philemon, the second assessment would be more practical than the first one. He added that the assessment involves field visits to inspect some projects both government and private going on in the state to assess what Abia is already doing in circular economy project.
The commissioner assured that at the end of the assessment, the state and its citizens will benefit in no small measure.
He further explained that the circular economy project is about recycling of waste to generate wealth and employment.
Ogbonna stated that ultimately Abians will benefit because not only will the waste be managed well, the state government will generate employment, while industries will spring up.
He noted that before waste was waste, but now waste is being discovered as wealth.
He said under the supervision of Governor Alex Otti, Abia wants to always take the lead in everything and that is why “we are here today” getting Abia ready to do more on what we are already doing in circular economy project.
Ogbonna stated that UNIDO is in Abia to help the state develop policies that will guide this project in Abia State.
He emphasized that the essence of the workshop is that the government alone will not be beneficiary, however individuals who would be interested in investing in circular economy project would be encouraged, which was why industries, policy experts, and academia, researchers were invited to the event.
The regional program coordinator of UNIDO, Mr Oluyomi Banjo, said Nigeria will soon hold a convention for plastic waste, adding that the country has robust policies on waste management.
Banjo therefore encouraged Abia to embrace Nigeria’s policies on waste management and assured that their office will continue to support Abia State to achieve its industrialization goals.
He charged the public to be careful because some of the components of renewable energy like the solar power are also a problem to the environment.
On his part, Joshua Moses who spoke on Abia State policy innovative centre, said it was established by the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti. He said that the centre was established to create a dynamic and responsible framework for policy formulation and implementation.
Moses maintained that the program was put together to enhance governance, leadership, and streamline initiatives as well as help to regulate activities.
Earlier in his remark, one of the resource persons, Prince Onyenweaku said the circular economy project has a lot of benefits amongst which is to strengthen government relationships with the private sector.
However, the state commissioner for power and public utilities, Ike Monday, general manager, Abia State environmental protection agency, ASEPA Ogbonnaya Okereke, senior special adviser to the Governor on energy, Kachi Etolue , Special Assistant to the Governor on Climate change Ms Esther Chioma Aja made speeches during the event.
