The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) will partner the Federal Government to develop national policy on solid waste management.
Dr Chuma Ezedinma, UNIDO Country Representative, made the statement on Monday in Abuja at a two-day `Expert Critique’ meeting to review the 2009 Draft National Environmental-Ozone Layer Protection Regulations.
Ezedinma, who was represented by Mr Oluyomi Banjo, an environmental expert with the organisation, said the partnership was to support Nigeria in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation development.
He added that the policy document, which is currently under review, would soon be made available to the public.
The country representative said the UN organisation was assisting Nigeria in its fight to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
“UNIDO is working with Nigeria in the identification, aggregation and disposal of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), review and updating legislations on ODS,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr Lawrence Anukam, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), stressed the need for safe disposal of ODS in the country.
He noted that the meeting was aimed at developing effective standard for the disposal of the substances, while also adding that some of the depleting substances were used as refrigerants in air conditioners, propellants in spray cans and agents in several manufacturing processes.
“Ozone layer in the atmosphere plays important role in the protection of life on earth and if it is depleted, more ultraviolent rays will reach the earth,” he said.
In the same vein, acting Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Idris Goji, said that Nigeria had succeeded in phasing out Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and dichromate.
Represented by Mr Theodore Nwaokwe, Deputy Director in the department, Goji said that the Nigerian government had set up an ozone village designed for ozone related activities.
He said that the regulations would go a long way to address issues of climate change.
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