In a move to enhance environmental safety and protection, the Edo State House of Assembly has established a strategic partnership with the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) to develop and implement policies aligned with global environmental best practices.
This commitment was reinforced during an advocacy visit by EDEN to the House Committee on Environment, where discussions centered on strengthening environmental health regulations and advancing sustainable policies.
Leading the EDEN delegation, Executive Director Chima Williams highlighted the urgent need to modernize Nigeria’s environmental laws to meet international standards. He emphasized that environmental health is directly linked to public well-being and urged lawmakers to take a holistic approach in addressing environmental challenges.
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Williams pointed out that Nigeria’s environmental conditions have deteriorated due to outdated policies, stressing that the legislative arm of government plays a pivotal role in enacting developmental policies that protect both human rights and the environment. He called for stronger laws to combat plastic pollution, biodiversity destruction, harmful extractive practices, and air and water contamination.
Responding to EDEN’s advocacy, Okogbe Donald, a member of the House Committee on Environment representing Akoko Edo Constituency II, acknowledged the growing threat of polythene packaging and single-use plastics. He revealed that the committee is working on a bill to regulate and eventually ban these materials while promoting a take-back policy to manage plastic waste effectively.
Echoing this stance, Committee Chairman Inegbeboh Ojie Eugene, representing Igueben Constituency, emphasized the need to adopt environmental policies that have proven successful in other countries. He commended EDEN’s expertise in waste management and resource extraction, noting that their insights will be instrumental in shaping new environmental laws in Edo State.
The lawmakers expressed their readiness to collaborate with EDEN in drafting impactful policies, assuring the organization that the House Committee on Environment remains open to continued partnership and advocacy efforts.
Earlier, EDEN also engaged with key stakeholders at the Edo State Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health, reinforcing its mission to drive sustainable environmental protection initiatives across the state.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards a cleaner and healthier Edo State, with both legislative and advocacy efforts working in synergy to promote long-term environmental sustainability.
