The Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has identified the pivotal role of the Judiciary in upholding and interpreting the laws that enhance environmental protection and support sustainable development in the country.
Addressing Magistrates of the Magistrate Courts of the Federal Capital Territory, Monday in Abuja, at a
Sensitization Workshop on Circular Economy for the Judiciary in Nigeria, organized by NESREA with the support of the European Union, Mallam Balarable Abbas Lawal, described the judiciary as champions of environmental laws, who are at the forefront of ensuring that environmental laws are enforced and that justice is served to protect the environment.
Speaking through the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Engineer (Mrs.) Bahijjahtu Abubakar, the Minister said, “Your role as custodians of justice includes interpreting environmental policies, regulating environmental compliance and holding accountable those who violate environmental laws”.
He disclosed that as Nigeria transitions towards Circular Economy, “Through informed judgments, the judiciary can set precedents that encourage industries, businesses and individuals to adopt circular practices and contribute to a sustainable Nigeria.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, explained that the Circular Economy model is a regenerative, closed-loop system where materials are kept in continuous circulation through redesigning, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling, thereby ensuring zero waste.
Dr. Barikor noted that in the bid to tackle the problem of high volume of waste generation, the Federal Government had put in place National policies and Regulatory Frameworks in the plastic, solid and battery waste sectors with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme embedded in the regulations to drive the circular economy transition.
He said the workshop was aimed at acquainting the judiciary with emerging global environmental trends and further equip them in the discharge of their duties as arbiters in the administration of environmental justice in Nigeria.
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