FG Commissions PCBs Treatment Facility to Curb Hazardous Pollution, Protect Public Health
The Federal Government on Thursday took a major step toward eliminating toxic industrial pollutants with the commissioning of a Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Treatment Facility at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to environmental safety and public health protection.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the facility—established under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—marked a decisive shift from unsafe handling of hazardous chemicals to environmentally sound management and disposal of PCBs in Nigeria.
Lawal described the project as more than infrastructure, noting that PCBs are highly dangerous pollutants linked to cancer, reproductive disorders and long-term damage to ecosystems when improperly managed. He warned that contamination of soil, water and food chains by PCBs poses serious risks to present and future generations.
He stressed that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, is obligated to eliminate PCBs and manage hazardous chemicals responsibly, adding that the new facility demonstrates the country’s resolve to meet its international commitments while strengthening domestic capacity.
According to the minister, collaboration among GEF, UNDP, the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders has delivered key milestones, 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 the dangers of PCBs.
Lawal said the treatment facility would enable safe decontamination and disposal of PCB-contaminated materials within the country, reducing reliance on foreign facilities and preventing further environmental and food system contamination. He added that the project would also create green jobs and support Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.
He commended GEF for funding the project, UNDP for technical leadership, and SHETSC0 for hosting the facility, as well as the Transmission Company of Nigeria, distribution companies, regulators and community leaders for their cooperation.
READ ALSO: Water Ministry Goes Digital with 1GOV ECM Launch
Tanker Fire: NEMA Coordinates Rapid Emergency Response in Edo
The minister assured that the Federal Ministry of Environment would continue to strengthen enforcement, champion chemical safety reforms and work with all sectors to prevent pollution.
He said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, national environmental laws and the Sustainable Development Goals, before formally commissioning the PCBs Treatment Facility as a symbol of Nigeria’s drive toward a cleaner, healthier and more resilient future.
About The Author
