The project team, Waste Management and Pollution Monitoring Program of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) visited the Akpayak community today being the 8th day of February 2022.
The visit was for a Community Dialogue session as a follow-up to the project ERA, currently implemented in Akwa Ibom and Edo State with a focus on strengthening local capacities for improved waste management policy.
Ubrei Joe presenting the latest report on the Zero Waste guideline
The community gave us a warm welcome and expressed their expectations of hearing success stories about the project. The project team leader from ERA/FoEN addressed the community giving a narrative account of the activities/ interventions that have been implemented so far and over of the next phase of the project.
Ubrei Joe briefed the community on the outcome of the different advocacy visits to the relevant government agencies with respect to the project.
In his concluding remark, he assured the community that there is increased awareness on the subject matter as a result of this ongoing project. He presented the Zero Waste Guideline to the community as a way of enhancing their understanding of improved waste management and building their capacity which they admitted was lacking to address the lingering waste management crisis in their community.
Chief Joseph Akpan, the paramount ruler of the community addressing the session
Thanking the team, the paramount ruler of the community, Chief Joseph Akpan, said “indeed ERA/ FoEN is a messiah God is using to fight for us as a dying people. We would continue to struggle against pollution using every legal means. The community expressed appreciation and said they are now open to new environmentally friendly ideas.
The meeting was well attended by about 30 community representatives and they have all pledged their support for the successful implementation of the project.