By Chikaodi Chuikwuleta

Anambra State Government has expressed its resolve to create over 5000 indirect jobs through waste and plastic recycling.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr Felix Odimegwu disclosed this on Thursday, at second edition of Anambra Community Plastic Waste Recycling Challenge, organised by the ministry, in collaboration with Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) in Awka.

According to the commissioner, the Governor Chukwuma Soludo led administration would recover 100,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2024.

He maintained that the state would through waste recycling, sanitise and reclaim the environment from erosion and other ecological challenges threatening the human existence through collaborative efforts of individuals, communities, schools, businesses, institutions, among others.

“This challenge will once again engage our 179 communities in a spirited competition to see the communities that can collect the most plastic waste. It will involve awareness programs, clean-up drives, and innovative solutions to plastic waste management. We will recognize and reward efforts of those communities who go above and beyond in their commitment to a cleaner Anambra.

“The prizes for this year’s challenge are N1million (First Prize), N500,000 (Second Prize), and N250,000 (Third Prize). The initiative will create indirect jobs in the industrial and environmental sectors, fostering economic growth while promoting environmental sustainability,” he noted.

In an interview, the Transition Committee Chairman, Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, praised the government for investing in waste recycling, which according to him, would equally continue to safeguard the state against disease outbreak and general wellbeing.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo, flagged off  the exercise.