The Federal Government has revealed that Nigeria consumes over 2.5 billion litres of sachet water annually, produced by more than 32,000 manufacturers across the country.
Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inception meeting for the “Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution” project.
He stated that while sachet water has improved access to drinking water, it has led to severe environmental consequences, including blocked drainage systems, flooding, and ecosystem degradation.
“This dual challenge of water access and plastic pollution makes this project not just timely, but necessary,” Barikor said.
The new initiative, tagged Child Project–GEF 11193, aims to reduce plastic sachet water consumption while ensuring continued access to safe drinking water. It adopts a circular economy approach focusing on prevention, innovation, and policy reform.
In a goodwill message, a representative of the United Nations Environment Programme, Isabella Vanderbeck, urged collective action, stating, “Life without plastic is truly fantastic, let us hit the ground, let us do away with plastic.”
Evelyn Swain of the Global Environment Facility Secretariat, represented by Anna Blanpain, reiterated support for Nigeria’s efforts. “GEF sees Nigeria not only as a participant in this Integrated Programme, but also as a leader whose experience can help shape global solutions to plastic pollution,” she said.
Mrs. Zuliat Mohammed from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation also expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate for the project’s success.
