Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji says the state government would assist both local and foreign investors that are willing to cite their waste recycling plants in the state.
Orji, who stated this during a one day workshop on e-waste sensitization/awareness organized for Abia Organization of Market Associations (AOMA) in Aba, posited that the establishment of waste recycling plants at different parts of the state would help to manage domestic and industrial wastes generated in the state.
“Recycling plants when established would go a long way in converting wastes into wealth and also, assist the state government in creating job for the unemployed who are expected to be engaged as workers in the plants.”
The governor who was represented by Bernard Ogbonna, Permanent Secretary Abia State Ministry of Environment added that the state government would render technical assistance and give the investors the necessary support to ensure that their businesses thrive in the state.
In his speech, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mrs. Ngeri Benebo observed that though crude recycling method provides employment for youths, the hazardous substances in e-wastes may cause adverse effects on their health.
Benebo, represented by Razaq Ashiru, South East Zonal Director said that the agency has put in place legal instruments to stop individuals and companies from disposing e-wastes indiscriminately and expressed the willingness of NESREA to work with state governments to ensure that they are carried along in the enforcement of relevant environmental laws.
He further said that agency had been collaborating with experts from the United Kingdom under the “E-waste Africa Project” to train the informal sector on sound ways of handling e-waste.
Programme Manager, Forte Communications, Mr. Ben Ezinma said that the strategic nature of the commercial hub of the commercial city in e-waste generation necessitated the seminar in Aba.
Ezinma regretted that the size of e-waste generated in Aba has not been positively maximized; stressing that e-waste would be a goldmine in the state if they would be recycled and also a source of employment generation.
He lauded the Abia State government for stimulating investment on e-waste, stressing that it was a good move to attract investors to establish recycling plants in Aba where they can have access to raw materials to run their businesses
