The Federal Government has taken an important step to address hazardous chemical pollution with the implementation of the Environmentally Sound Polychlorinated Management and Disposal Program. Biphenyls (PCB) in Abuja, a project implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program and funded by the GEF.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, described the facility, located at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in Abuja, as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of public health.
He said the project was aligned with national development priorities as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
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“This PCB treatment facility is a direct demonstration of our dedication to meeting these obligations and developing lasting institutional capacity.”
“PCBs are highly hazardous pollutants that pose serious risks to human health, biodiversity and the entire environment. When improperly handled or disposed of, they can cause serious diseases such as cancer and reproductive disorders, and cause long-term damage to our ecosystems.”
Lawal noted that beyond being a technical facility, the facility represented a significant advancement in Nigeria’s ability to manage hazardous materials at the national level.
“By enabling decontamination and environmentally sound treatment of PCBs, he said, the center would help prevent further contamination of soil, water and food systems, while reducing health risks to surrounding communities.”
He also highlighted milestones achieved under the project, including developing policies and guidelines to strengthen chemicals and waste regulations, training government agencies and private operators on the safe handling and transportation of PCB-contaminated materials, and conducting national inventories to support evidence-based decision making.
“We have also increased public awareness of the dangers of PCBs through workshops, media engagement and community engagement.”
He also highlighted that community engagement could be as powerful as formal training and media campaigns in driving behavioral change.
While praising the progress made, the minister warned against lapses in safety practices and recalled scenes from a project video that showed contaminated materials handled without adequate protection.
“If we say these materials are dangerous, then we should not allow them to be handled with bare hands,” he warned.
Lawal expressed gratitude to the GEF for providing financial support and to UNDP for its technical leadership and capacity building, noting that funding without technical expertise could easily be wasted.
He also thanked the Complex management (SHESTCO), Malaysian project contractors, traditional rulers and community leaders for their cooperation, and called for sustained continuity in public service to ensure that the projects survive leadership changes.
“This project has been running for about seven years without interruption, despite changes in leadership. That is the kind of continuity and collaboration we need in governance. Beneficial projects must be completed and maintained.”
The minister revealed that the facility is among the few of its kind on the continent, describing it as the second such treatment center in Africa. He added that plans were being considered to establish similar facilities in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Lawal said the project also aligned with the President’s environmental agenda, noting that preventive environmental management remained critical to reducing health burdens across the country.
“The environment accounts for approximately 80 percent of our health protection. Prevention is always better than cure. By keeping our environment safe, we reduce the need for hospitals and clinics.”
In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Elsie Gyekyewaa Attafuah, commended the minister’s leadership and commitment, describing the commissioning as both a national and regional milestone.
“It is a great honor for me to join you in commissioning the first PCB treatment facility in Nigeria and West Africa.”
“This is a powerful demonstration of Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to environmental sustainability, public health protection and global compliance with the Stockholm Convention.”
He said the project, executed with GEF support, positioned Nigeria as a regional leader in hazardous waste management while creating opportunities for job creation, skills development, technology transfer and industrial compliance with global standards.
“By investing in this facility, Nigeria is protecting its people and the environment, while safeguarding the productivity of its workforce and reducing future burdens on public health.”
“This facility will also serve as a national center for innovation and capacity development, creating skilled employment for engineers, technicians and environmental specialists.”
Attafuah outlined three key outcomes of the project: the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility that meets national and international standards, the emergence of Nigeria as a regional model for environmentally sound management of hazardous waste, and the creation of economic and human capital opportunities through skills development and technology transfer.
He reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria to ensure the long-term success of the mechanism, highlighting that sustained political will, strong inter-agency coordination and adequate resources would be essential.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we reaffirm our shared vision of a future in which environmental responsibility drives economic growth and social well-being.”
Attafuah linked the project to the Sustainable Development Goals on health, clean energy, responsible consumption and climate action.