The Abia State Government, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), has commenced a five-day stakeholders’ workshop to draft a State-Level Implementation Plan for the National Policy on Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment (OGREE) Waste Management.
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‎This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Obioma Chidinma Success, and issued to newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday.
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‎According to the statement, the workshop holding at Paradise Crystal Hotels, Umuahia, is aimed at promoting sustainable waste management, supporting small hydropower development, and advancing circular economy practices in the state.
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‎Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, said the plan marks a major step toward effective waste management in Abia.
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‎He explained that the initiative will provide a framework for managing used renewable energy equipment and create opportunities to convert waste into economic resources.
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‎”This implementation plan is an essential milestone in ensuring efficient waste management and transforming waste into wealth. It will also strengthen the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the transition to a circular economy,” he said.
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‎Also speaking, EU Waste Management Expert, Ms. Emem Umana, said the workshop seeks to improve the management of used off-grid renewable energy equipment and plastic waste through circular economy practices that will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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‎She added that the project will support sustainable systems for the collection, recycling and safe disposal of end-of-life renewable energy equipment, while building the capacity of government agencies to implement the national policy at state level.
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‎Ms. Umana noted that the initiative will encourage resource recovery, create green jobs, strengthen environmental governance, and support Nigeria’s climate change mitigation efforts.
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‎Participants include representatives of MDAs, development partners, environmental experts, private sector operators, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
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‎The workshop is expected to produce a comprehensive Implementation Plan and operational guidelines for the effective rollout of the National OGREE Waste Management Policy in Abia State.
Abia To Implement Plan On Solar/Battery Waste With EU-UNIDO
