In the same vein, it has also provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences and fashion out strategies for enhancing environmental compliance, monitoring, and enforcement of the policies.
The Minister of State for Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, revealed at a virtual conference of the 10th National Regulatory Dialogue in Abuja, that it was the testimony of the government’s commitment to tackling the burning issues confronting the sector.
Ikeazor noted that this year’s meeting has goals to present the draft national environmental (Battery Control) regulations 2020 for consideration and adoption as well as strengthen partnerships in compliance in Nigeria.
“We are here to discuss environmental governance, and the issues and challenges, air pollution, water pollution, climate change, soil erosion, inadequate sewage, and household disposal facilities, poor drainage and dumping of toxic wastes,” she stressed.
She, therefore, called on Nigerians to pay priority to key elements of governance, which include citizens’ involvement, engagements, environmental education, investigation and inspection, development of new, and review of existing ones.
The Minister also stated they are very much conscious of the degrading state of the environment, and it has taken positive steps like ongoing Ogoni cleanup; implementation of extended producers responsibility programmes for stable surrounding.
Earlier, the Director-General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said the draft national environmental (Healthcare Waste Control) regulations were currently being processed at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Jauro however, added they have to set standards by enforcing existing laws, guidelines, and policies.
He explained that it falls under its purview to enforce compliance with the provisions of international agreements, treaties, and protocols on the environment.
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