Anambra State Waste Management Authority

CASH FOR TRASH: Still on activities to mark the 2025 World Environment Day, the Commissioner for Environment Engr. Felix Odimegwu, the MD of ASWAMA, Mr Mike Ozoemena, ASWAMA Board members, Representatives of the Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA), the SWEEP Foundation, the Coca-Cola company and the general public gathered at the Igwebuike Grammar School Awka for the CASH TO TRASH; Waste plastic weigh and pay exercise. The message was simple; every household and consumer in Anambra State should join hands with the Soludo administration in eradicating the menace of plastic waste in the state. Turn your waste into wealth.

Collaboration Identified as Key to Combating Plastic Waste Pollution in Anambra State; as Stakeholders Brainstorm in Symposium to Mark World Environment Day

By: Benjamin Ogbuagu

Stakeholders in the environment sector gathered in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on Friday, 6th June, to brainstorm on issues concerning plastic waste pollution in Anambra State; The challenges and the resultant effects on our environment, as well as the way forward.

This was a symposium organized by the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) in collaboration with the Anambra State Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) and the Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP Foundation) to mark the 2025 World Environment Day.

In a keystone address to mark the event, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odimegwu speaking on the topic, "Citizen’s participation in solving the plastic pollution challenge in Anambra State”, called for an attitudinal change on the part of citizens; a conscious effort towards reducing our plastic waste from source. The Commissioner eulogized Governor Soludo for being very intentional with issues concerning the environment. According to him, Anambra State today ranks the 4th cleanest state in Nigeria

He noted that environmental compliance is an all encompassing arrangement. Calling on the local government areas, the churches, schools as well as other institutions to play their expected roles in this fight against plastic waste pollution.

Delivering his opening Remarks, the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, stated that the symposium aims to address plastic pollution, which is one of the environmental challenges bedeviling Anambra State.

The MD called for a collaborative effort between the citizens as well as with partners such as the Coca-Cola foundation, Technoserve, and others in tackling this menace. He observed that plastic waste tarnishes the beauty of our state and poses health risks to our well-being. However, this narrative can be changed by citizens embracing progressive practices and advocating for a cleaner environment, such as participating in local clean-up exercises, supporting local recycling initiatives, and spreading awareness that creates ripple effects on our neighborhood.

Earlier in a welcome address, the chairman of the ASWAMA Board, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, called on all stakeholders to see the task of protecting our environment as a shared responsibility. According to him, the little we do in our various corners can go a long way in changing the narrative.

Speaking on the topic “Corporate Organization’s Participation in solving the plastic Pollution challenge in Anambra State”, the representative of Coca-Cola Foundation, Mrs. Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, again opined that the task is a shared responsibility and should not be left for the government alone. She harped on the need for collaborative effort towards economic growth whereby corporate organizations participate in building entrepreneurs who will become aggregators that will recycle these wastes within our immediate communities and thereby leaving the citizens in no doubt as to where and how to dispose of their plastic wastes.

Rev Fr. Prof. Jude Ezeanokwasa of the faculty of law Nnamdi Azikiwe University while taking the symposium on the paper “Understanding the new Anambra State Environmental law (2024)” appreciated the State Government and House of Assembly for repealing all the previously isolated environmentally related laws and bringing them together under the new Anambra State environmental law.

He observed that this will give room for a more efficient implementation of waste Management in the state. He, however, warned the government and the supervising Ministry against usurping the powers of the implementing agencies, and when that happens, the environmental law is as good as dead on arrival.

The symposium also featured goodwill messages from the Coca-Cola Foundation, Technoserve, SWEEP Foundation, ASWRA, and the Environmental Society of Nigeria. In all their messages, they underscored the need for partnership in achieving set goals. Panel discussionists also reacted to questions on plastic waste management, the socio-cultural angle to the issues, as well as proffered solutions towards building a proper database of plastic waste generation in the state.

Benjamin Ogbuagu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.

NAFDAC Destroys Counterfeit and Substandard Products Worth Billions of Naira

By: Benjamin Ogbuagu

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed counterfeit and substandard products valued at billions of naira. This action is part of their ongoing efforts to rid Nigerian markets of unwholesome products and counterfeit drugs.

During the destruction event in Awka, Anambra State, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, represented by South-East Zonal Director Dr. Martins Iluyomade, reaffirmed NAFDAC's commitment to eradicating unwholesome products and counterfeit drugs from the Nigerian market.

Prof. Adeyeye cautioned Nigerians to avoid patronizing vendors who sell banned products, emphasizing that these items not only pose serious health risks but also contribute to crime and criminality. She assured the public that NAFDAC will continue its periodic raids to apprehend those involved in these illicit activities.

The Deputy Director expressed gratitude to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, for his support during the operation. He also thanked the heads of security agencies who participated in the raids and acknowledged the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) for creating a conducive environment for the operation and for being valuable partners in safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

In his goodwill message, ASWAMA’s Managing Director, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, welcomed the NAFDAC team to Anambra State and assured them of Governor Soludo’s continued support. He highlighted the governor's commitment to making Anambra a crime-free state, adding that this goal requires complete eradication of counterfeit, banned, and substandard products from circulation.

Mr. Ozoemena pledged ASWAMA's ongoing support, especially in providing access to dump sites for the destruction of confiscated items. He urged NAFDAC not to waver in their mission to eliminate the circulation of fake and substandard products and drugs.

Approximately 40 metric tons of counterfeit and substandard products and drugs, valued at nearly a trillion naira, were destroyed during this exercise. These items were seized during recent raids conducted by the agency in various parts of the South East and South South regions over the past month.