Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth (ERA/FoEN) with support from Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) met with stakeholders from the relevant waste management sector ERA/FoEN has been engaging with towards zero waste to reflect and develop strategies for the effective implementation of the recommendations coming out from the project. The Parliament evaluated the progress made in the waste management sectors in Akwa Ibom State.
The Congress had in attendance, GAIA Africa Representative, Desmond Alugnoa, GAIA Nigeria Representative, Leslie Adogame, Representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Environment and Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Authority, Zero Waste Ambassadors, Akwa Ibom State Representative, Faith Paulinus, and Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Barr Chima Williams. Betty Bonsu of Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Ghana was also in attendance as a resource person.
After robust discussions on the challenging issues of waste in the State, the following observations and recommendations were made:
OBSERVATIONS
The participants at the parliament observed that:
* Avalanche of wealth has been lost owing to the existing waste management system in Akwa Ibom State.
*Over time, waste management has been left only in the hands of the government without a proper guide. This has left more to be desired.
* The citizens who should adhere to waste management laws do not have access to the Akwa Ibom State waste management sanitation laws hence it leaves huge gaps and questions bordering on various roles to be played by stakeholders.
* There is a need to develop Zero Waste Guidelines for Akwa Ibom State.
* Akpayak Waste Dumpsite although no longer in operation was not properly decommissioned hence, the site has remained a health and environmental menace for the community.
* The new location of the waste dumpsite in Uyo is below international standard as it is closer to the community water source and road.
* Local Government Authorities have been relegated to the background on waste management even as their responsibility has been usurped by the State.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Participants at the Parliament recommended the following:
*Waste Management laws should be made accessible to the citizens. Posting the law on the portal of the State Government of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, (AKSEPWMA) would be plausible.
*There is a need for synergy across State Government and Local government authorities on waste management strategy.
* Waste management must move beyond the sole responsibility of government. All stakeholders should be interested in waste management.
* Government must decommission dumpsite at Akpayak Community and relocate the new dumpsite to meet international best practices.
* Akwa Ibom State should draw down lessons from the Accra Zero Waste Project thus transforming the waste generated in the State to wealth.
* To succeed in the implementation of zero waste, Zero Waste Ambassadors, government agencies must ensure the participation of community leaders in its strategies.
* Government must develop and coordinate a sustainable waste management ecosystem by developing a database of dumpsite/dump points, establishing clean-up clubs, developing a house-to-house waste management evacuating scheme, and creating adequate awareness on waste management through the media.
* Government must be deliberate on investment in waste management understanding that if a dumpsite is turned to resource site, it will help create sustainable jobs.
Endorsed by:
1. Bassey Okon, Ministry of Environment
2. Ime Jacobs, Information Unit, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency
3. Henry Ubong , Community
4. Blessing Ukpong, Community
5. Obot Udofia, National Union of Road Transport Workers
6. Alhaji Ahmed Isa, Representative, Muslim Community
7. Ekwere Paul, Program Officer, PACE
8. Ekemini Simon, News Editor, The Mail Newspaper
9. Faith Paulinus, Program Officer, Policy Alert
10. Aniefiok Akpan, Health Officer, Primary Healthcare Uyo
11. Pastor Okon Joel, Director, Uyo Local Government Council
12. Ndueso Etuk, Supervisor, Waste Pickers
13. Imaobong Jacob, Administrative Officer, D’ Mbarukas Environment Services
14. Blessing Essien, Student Leader, University of Uyo
15. Edidiong Paul, Community
16. Etim Johnson, Community
17. Udoinyang Augustine, Student Leader, University of Uyo
18. Ubrei-Joe Mariere, Program Manager, ERA/FoEN
19. Kentebe Ebiaridor, Head, ERA, Port Harcourt Office