With the theme of this year , “Beat Plastic Pollution” Osibanjo observed that current researches show that plastics that have not been burnt or recycled, could be in excess of 4.5 billion tons and would take between 500 to 1,000 years to degrade.

Much of that ,he also said has ended up in the ocean, becoming almost impossible to retrieve adding that worse still, salt and sunlight cause plastics to break into smaller pieces, micro-plastics which end up being eaten by fish and other marine creatures, and this find their way into our meals.

In view of this , VP said that for controlling the proliferation of plastic sachets, we must go back to the major producers of fast moving goods, to put in place recycling programs.

He emphasised, ” Nigeria is in a good place to lead Africa and indeed the world in beating plastic pollution, there is no need to reinvent the wheel, there are a good number of effective initiatives already, which we are considering as we develop policies.”

On efforts made to curtail environmental pollution , Osibanjo said that the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with critical stakeholders, have developed a national strategy for the phasing out of non-bio gradable plastics.

 The ministry is also developing a national plastic waste recycling programme, involving the establishment of plastic waste recycling plants across the country in partnership with State Governments.

“A total of eight plants have already been completed and handed over to the States while 18 others are at various stages of completion.”

“The Federal Government is also collaborating with State Governments to establish plastic waste recycling plants, under the community-based waste management programme in the ministry.  “

“Two plants have been completed in Ilorin, Kwara State, one in Lokoja, Kogi State, while work on another is ongoing in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. “

“In addition, two privately run programmes are Bola Jari (means waste to wealth) in Gombe State and Leda Jari (means converting nylon bags to wealth) in Kano State. These initiatives are encouraged and supported by government.”

He therefore called on all consumer giant companies in Nigeria to partner with governments, including States and Local Governments, to ensure that we maintain the critical balance between economic growth and a safe and liveable environment.