The Plateau State Government has launched a new Waste Management Framework aimed at improving sanitation, promoting recycling and building a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
The framework, launched with stakeholders from government, the 17 Local Government Areas, traditional and religious institutions, communities, development partners and the private sector, is designed to provide a strategic direction for sustainable waste management in Plateau.
Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwom, said the framework would promote integrated waste management systems, formalise the activities of waste pickers and encourage Public-Private Partnerships.
A major focus of the framework is the development of the recycling industry, which the commissioner said would create opportunities for resource recovery, job creation, entrepreneurship, investment and innovation.
“The vision is to move from seeing waste simply as something to be discarded to recognizing it as a valuable resource that can drive economic opportunities while protecting our environment.”
The commissioner said the successful implementation of the framework would require the active participation of government, communities, private sector actors, development partners and other stakeholders.
“Government cannot achieve sustainable waste management alone.”
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Plateau State Government and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), aimed at strengthening collaboration in waste management and recycling.
Gwom said the partnership would help create an enabling environment for sustainable investment, innovation, resource recovery and private sector participation in the waste management value chain.
He described the launch of the framework and the signing of the MoU as the beginning of a new phase of implementation, partnership, investment and measurable action towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Plateau State.
