By Asuquo Edem
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Monday held a public hearing on three critical environmental bills seeking to regulate scrap metal dealers, prohibit the use of polystyrene and other single-use plastics, and institutionalize climate change action in the state.
Declaring the Hearing open, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong who was represented by the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, said the exercise was part of the legislature’s commitment to inclusive law-making and democratic governance. He noted that public hearings provide an avenue for stakeholders and citizens to contribute to legislation that affects their social, economic and environmental wellbeing.
Otong explained that the bills under consideration include the Scrap Metal Dealers Regulation Bill, the Polystyrene and Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Bill, and the Akwa Ibom State Climate Change Bill. According to him, the proposed laws reflect the 8th Assembly’s determination to enact forward-looking legislation that will protect the environment and promote sustainable development in the state.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, said the bills were designed to address pressing environmental challenges while ensuring responsible economic activities.
He explained that the Scrap Metal Dealers Regulation Bill aims to introduce order, accountability and transparency into the scrap business, which in recent times has been linked to vandalism of public infrastructure and illegal dismantling of government assets.
Bassey also noted that the bill seeking to prohibit the use and importation of polystyrene and other single-use plastics was intended to tackle environmental pollution caused by indiscriminate disposal of non-biodegradable materials, which often block drainage systems and threaten aquatic life.
He added that the Climate Change Bill seeks to mainstream climate action into governance and establish an Akwa Ibom State Council on Climate Change to coordinate policy, promote climate resilience and support sustainable investments.
Delivering a keynote address, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr. Nsikak Ekong, described the public hearing as an important democratic process that promotes transparency and collaboration in policy development.
Ekong said the state’s environment faces significant challenges, including climate change, flooding, deforestation, pollution and rapid urbanization, stressing that collective action among government, communities, the private sector and civil society is necessary to safeguard the ecosystem.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance through improved regulation, enforcement, public awareness and strategic partnerships.
Also presenting at the Hearing, the Federal Ministry of Environment commended the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for initiating legislation aimed at protecting natural resources and strengthening environmental governance.
The Comptroller of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Peter Etim, who spoke on behalf of the ministry, described the proposed ban on polystyrene and other single-use plastics as a timely response to the growing problem of plastic pollution, noting that the materials contribute to drainage blockage, flooding and contamination of waterways.
He, however, recommended that the bill should clearly define the scope of “other single-use plastics,” identify a designated enforcement agency and provide a transition period for businesses to adopt environmentally friendly packaging alternatives.
On the Climate Change Bill, Etim said the proposed legislation aligns with Nigeria’s national climate governance framework under the Climate Change Act and the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. He noted that the bill’s provision for the establishment of a State Council on Climate Change, a climate action plan and a climate change fund would strengthen institutional coordination and attract climate financing.
He further suggested stronger collaboration with federal climate institutions, capacity building for ministries and local governments, and the inclusion of coastal resilience strategies given the state’s vulnerability to flooding and erosion.
Regarding the Scrap Dealers Bill, the federal representative said the legislation would help curb environmental pollution and theft of public infrastructure associated with unregulated scrap operations.
He explained that the proposed licensing system, verification of suppliers, record-keeping requirements and inspection powers would improve transparency and accountability within the scrap recycling industry, while recommending the inclusion of clear environmental standards for scrap yard operations and collaboration with security agencies to tackle infrastructure vandalism.
The public hearing also featured submissions from the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Mr. Sunny James, as well as representatives of civil society organizations.
Participants generally supported the proposed environmental reforms while urging lawmakers to ensure effective implementation frameworks that balance environmental protection with the interests of businesses and workers.
The House Committee on Environment said inputs from the hearing would be considered in refining the bills before they are presented for further legislative action.
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