UNVEILS MAP-ML+P, Marine Litter Marshalls, identified Marine Litter Hotspots in Nigeria

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, DG, NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, aware of the threats and dangers from Marine Litter such as Plastics and other wastes dumped on the rivers and oceans daily, has launched a Maritime Action Plan for Marine Plastic, MAP-ML+P, aimed at ridding Nigerian waterways of Plastics and unwanted objects littering the seas and oceans.

Speaking at the launch of the Action Plan, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said the issue of Marine Litter and Plastics in the Seas and Oceans has attracted greater global concern owing to the increased awareness on the Blue Economy and its derivable benefits.

According to Dr. Dakuku, the challenges of Marine Litter and Plastic pollution includes threats to food security, economic activities, navigational hazards, water safety, threat to ecosystem, harmful effects on marine life and bio-diversity among others.  

He said the oceans and seas sustain lives but when the threats to ocean health becomes overwhelming, it affects human beings as well.

Reeling statistics and data, during his speech at the launching of the Action Plan, the NIMASA Boss cited a report by the World Economic Forum which projects that by the year 2050, plastics in the oceans will outnumber fish if not promptly checked.

He further stated that out of 260 million tons of plastic produced in the world each year, about 10% ends up in the ocean and 70% of the mass eventually sinks, damaging life on the seabed.

Dakuku revealed that the purpose of the Marine Litter Action Plan is to set a national roadmap to tackle issues of wastes especially the ones arising from shipping related activities, identify specific actions that needs to be taken by different bodies to reduce Marine Litter and Plastics from the Oceans and strengthen corporation/collaborations in tackling the menace.

Other objectives of the Marine Litter Action Plan includes, establishment of templates that monitors progress in the fight against Marine Litter and Plastics in Nigeria’s Oceans, build, operationalize and compliment IMO Action Plan on Marine Litter from Ships, enhance the enforcement of existing Laws, Conventions /Regulations and increase the awareness and understanding of the dangers of Marine Litter and the need for joint efforts to tackle it.

Dakuku said the Action Plan becomes imperative in the wake of reports by the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) which revealed that  83% of the 4.8–12.7 million tons of land-based plastic waste that ends up in the ocean from the 192 coastal countries originates from 20 countries including Nigeria.

Another study by Africa Impact Sustainable Initiative also reports that approximately 500 shipping containers of waste are dumped in Africa every month and in 2010, annual mismanaged plastic waste for the African continent was put at 4.8 million tonnes and could reach 11.5 million tonnes in 2025.

“These occurrences are not only evident globally but also  very glaring in Nigeria-which is among top 20 nations that contribute 83% of total volume of land based plastic waste that end up in the oceans/seas. It is estimated that over 200,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste from land-based sources in Nigeria, is discharged into the Atlantic Ocean each year” Dakuku said. 

Already, NIMASA as the regional leader in tackling Marine Litter/Plastics and as the lead agency saddled with this responsibility, has adopted measures for a successful campaign against Marine Litter and Plastics such as the Engagement of Marine Litter Marshals across coastal communities and littoral areas, Pilot Cleanup of identified Marine Litter Hotspots in Nigeria’s coastal states of Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Ondo and Lagos, Marine litter sensitization campaign in 500 littoral communities, Provision of necessary waste receptacles to some coastal communities and the Development of Marine Litter campaign materials for sensitization and enlightenment.

In Dakuku’s words “As we launch the Marine Litter Action Plan, we are taking a stand with the Coastal Communities, Industry, other stakeholder communities, States, our national government and the International Communities to pledge that we shall no longer ignore the effects of Marine Litter and Plastics (macro/micro) on biodiversity, marine life, navigation and human health; neither shall we continue to ignore the negative impacts of marine activities like fishing, oil and gas drilling, shipping and ecotourism”. 

“We are use this opportunity to appreciate those that have contributed immensely to the development of this Action Plan especially the United Nations Environment Programme Global Partnership of Action, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian Ports Authority, our own team at NIMASA and other stakeholders”.

Members of the National Assembly, officials of the Ministry of the Environment and other dignitaries at the event lauded the initiative and pledged to support and collaborate with NIMASA in the crusade against Marine litter and plastics.