NESREA chief calls for integrated circular economy approach to marine, coastal management

The Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, has stressed the need to incorporate circular economy practices into marine and coastal management strategies even as the organization continues stakeholders’ engagement on circular economy.

Speaking during the workshop on “Mainstreaming Circular Economy Practices for Sustainable Marine and Coastal Management”, organized by NESREA in collaboration with the European Union in Abuja, Dr. Barikor restated the Agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental standards and promoting sustainable practices.

Represented by the Director, Partnership and Education, Mrs. Bintu Kolo Mohammed, the NESREA Boss said, “Our marine and coastal ecosystems face immense pressures from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Embracing circular economy principles is imperative to reduce waste, recover resources, and restore ecosystems.”

Taking on the topic, “The Effects of Discharge of Untreated Ballast Waters into the Environment and Remediation Measures”, the EU Facilitator, Mrs. Agharese Onaghise identified ballast water as a resource and not a waste, whilst also highlighting measures to effectively manage ballast water in line with the principle of circular economy.

The Workshop, which had participation drawn from key players in the maritime sector as well as NESREA, discussed waste minimization through sustainable product design and waste management; resource recovery and recycling to support a sustainable economy, as well as ecosystem restoration initiatives to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience.