The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) says Nigeria consumes more than 2.5 billion litres of sachet water every year, produced by over 32,000 manufacturers nationwide, a trend it says has worsened plastic pollution across the country.The Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inception meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Child Project 11193, titled Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria.Barikor said the project is designed to reduce the consumption of plastic sachet water while ensuring that Nigerians continue to have access to safe and affordable drinking water. He described the meeting as a major step in Nigerias efforts to tackle the environmental and public health challenges posed by plastic pollution.According to him, the widespread use of single-use plastic sachets has become both a convenience and a serious environmental burden. He noted that while sachet water has helped bridge gaps in access to potable water, it has also contributed to blocked drainage systems, flooding, ecosystem degradation, and threats to public health and biodiversity.As you are aware, Nigeria consumes over 2.5 billion litres of sachet water annually, produced by more than 32,000 manufacturers across the country, Barikor said. While this has helped bridge gaps in access to drinking water, it has also resulted in severe environmental consequences.He added that the project addresses the dual challenge of water access and plastic pollution, making it both timely and necessary. Barikor explained that the GEF Child Project represents a strategic intervention aligned with Nigerias environmental priorities and NESREAs mandate to protect the environment for present and future generations.The project adopts a holistic, circular approachfocusing not only on waste management, but on prevention, innovation, policy reform, and systemic change, he said.In a goodwill message, Isabella Vanderbeck of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) described Nigeria as a key partner in global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Life without plastic is truly fantastic, let us hit the ground, let us do away with plastic, she said.Also speaking, Evelyn Swain of the Global Environment Facility reaffirmed the organisations commitment to supporting Nigeria in reducing the use of single-use plastic water sachets while ensuring access to safe drinking water.GEF is proud to support Nigeria in its journey to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic water sachets in Nigeria, while ensuring accessible and safe drinking water, she said. Swain, a Senior Environmental Specialist and Plastic Reboot Coordinator at the GEF Secretariat, was represented by Anna Blanpain.Mrs Zuliat Mohammed, Chief Scientific Officer at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said the ministry was ready to collaborate with NESREA to ensure the success of the project. She said the programme would help Nigeria reduce and eventually eliminate plastic sachet waste in the country.The post FG targets sachet water reduction appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
