Nigeria Pledges to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution
Nigeria has promised its support for an international, legally enforceable document aimed at decreasing the threat of marine plastic pollution originating from land-based sources and activities.
This is because President Muhammadu Buhari extended emotional gratitude and appreciation to the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, and the City Council members for providing shelter to Nigerians who escaped the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Federal Government's commitment to eliminating marine plastic pollution was outlined in a statement read on behalf of President Buhari at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, by the Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor.
Buhari stated that a National Policy on Plastic Pollution and a Road Map on Tackling Solid and Plastic Waste Management had been devised and established as part of the country's efforts to ensure the health and sustainability of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
The president, praising the United Nations for its leadership in the process of effective ocean governance, stated that Nigeria has integrated ocean management into the economy by establishing a Presidential Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy.
In addition, he announced that Nigeria has begun the creation of two marine protected areas and reaffirmed the country's commitment to participating constructively in ongoing negotiations for multiple multilateral agreements, including on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
“The entire southern border of Nigeria is the Atlantic Ocean, with a coastline of about 853 km, being the longest in the West African region.
“It is endowed with enormous biodiversity resources, such as the freshwater and mangrove forest ecosystems, with diverse species of fauna and flora.
“We acknowledge the fact that a healthy ocean and coastal environment is key to sustainable development. We must, therefore, conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The ocean is key to the global economy, with an estimated 40 million people projected to be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
Source: The Guardian
