FG to develop national digital repository for waste pickers

The federal government has announced plans to develop a national digital repository aimed at addressing the numerous challenges faced by waste pickers.

Balarabe Lawal, the minister of environment, disclosed this on Tuesday at a one-day stakeholders’ forum in Abuja.

The event was in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Tearfund Nigeria.

Lawal said waste pickers are the backbone of waste management, adding that they contribute significantly to recycling and the circular economy.

The minister added that their integration into Nigeria’s waste management system would unlock immense economic potentials for the country.

Lawal said waste pickers contribute to public health, safety and environmental sustainability but are faced with negative public perception.

He noted that they live in deplorable conditions and get very little support from the government.

“We cannot discuss sustainable waste management without referencing the operations of waste pickers, who form an integral part of the waste management value chain,” he said.

“Waste pickers exist as unsung heroes but the truth is that they provide essential services that ensure the protection of our environment and public health.

“They form an informal group whose activities encompass all aspects of waste management, from collection, sorting, transportation, processing, and selling of recovered and recyclable materials to earn a living.

“The growing demand for recyclable materials and the transition to a circular economy make it imperative for governments and the general public to recognise, regulate, and integrate waste pickers into the overall waste management effort.

“Globally, there is an increasing recognition of the role of waste pickers in the plastic management, and great effort is being made by local authorities to integrate and create partnerships with waste pickers associations.

“There is improvement in the level of engagement with waste pickers associations in the formulation of solid waste management policy and the national plastic policy.”

On his part, Vanessa Phala-Moyo, ILO country director for Nigeria, said there is a need for effective and controlled waste management practices.

Phala-Moyo said waste, when managed properly, can offer opportunities for job creation in a circular economy.

Chiranjibi Tiwari, a representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said Nigeria produces large amounts of waste every year which might cause several health issues if not properly managed.

“Therefore, waste pickers, who are at the beginning of the waste management cycle, are a critical part of our environmental management and health,” Tiwari added.