Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government on Thursday commissioned a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) treatment centre at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHETSC0) to strengthen environmentally sound hazardous waste management, protect public health, and enhance compliance with global environmental conventions.
In his speech during the commissioning, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, noted that collaboration among GEF, UNDP, the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders has delivered key milestone, including the development of policies and guidelines on chemical and waste regulation, nationwide PCB inventories, training of public and private operators, and public awareness on dangers of PCBs.
He warned that hazardous chemicals pose serious risks to human health, biodiversity, and the environment, particularly during handling, storage, and transportation.
According to the minister, hazardous materials must never be handled without appropriate protective equipment, noting that public trust depends on strict adherence to safety protocols.
He also noted that the centre goes beyond infrastructure delivery and represents a strategic investment that will create green jobs, enhance technical capacity, and strengthen environmental governance.
In his keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Adam Kambari, said the commissioning marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s environmental governance framework.
In addition, Kambari stated that the facility was established to meet global standards and would strengthen national systems for the treatment, disposal, and monitoring of hazardous chemicals and wastes.
Kambari also stated that the project supports Nigeria’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention by addressing persistent organic pollutants that pose long-term environmental and health hazards.
He further stated that the centre would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to identify, assess, and manage hazardous substances while improving public health, reducing environmental risks, and safeguarding ecosystems.
The representative of the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, PROF. MUHAMMAD ALI PATE, CON, noted that the facility is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s health security architecture.
According to Pate, hazardous chemicals are known to cause ecosystem degradation, disrupt neural development, and trigger other serious health outcomes when improperly handled or disposed of.
Pate explained that improper chemical management poses significant risks to vulnerable populations, including children, frontline workers, and surrounding communities.
He highlighted that commissioning the facility strengthens Nigeria’s ability to detect chemical exposure, monitor impacts on human health, and respond rapidly to potential public health emergencies.
He also noted that recent national technical guidelines on chemical waste treatment can now be effectively implemented through the operational capacity provided by the centre.
Pate stressed that detection and response systems must function together across federal, state, and local levels to ensure that no community is left behind in chemical safety and public health preparedness.
The Honourable Minister of Health also said that the facility reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to evidence-based action, environmental safety, and resilient public health systems, while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 on health, SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 on climate action.
The Resident Representative of UNDP in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafun, in her remarks, described the project as a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership in environmental sustainability and global compliance under the Stockholm Convention.
She thanked the Global Environment Facility and development partners for their funding, technical support, and strategic guidance, noting that collective international commitment made the project possible.
Attafun noted that the state-of-the-art centre positions Nigeria as a regional leader in hazardous waste management in West Africa and opens opportunities for job creation, skills development, technology transfer, and industrial compliance with global standards.
Attafun said the facility will reduce future public health burdens, safeguard workforce productivity, and strengthen local waste treatment industries.
She added that the centre will serve as a national hub for innovation, capacity building, and technical expertise in chemical and hazardous waste management.
She also reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in ensuring the facility operates optimally and delivers a lasting impact.
The commissioning of the facility was hailed by stakeholders as a major step toward a safer, cleaner, and more resilient Nigeria. They emphasised that the facility will not only improve public health and environmental protection but also strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to comply with international environmental agreements and respond to chemical emergencies.
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