Africa regional director of United Nations Environment, Julliette Biao Koudenoukpo has voiced her concern over the increase in toxic waste dumping in Africa.

Speaking on the side lines of the COP2 meeting to the Bamako convention in Abidjan-Ivory Coast earlier this year Koudenoukpo called on African countries that have ratified the Bamako Convention to work in synergy with the private sector to drive actions against toxic waste dumping in the continent.

Strengthening cooperation

“There is a need to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sector, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the actions on ground,” she explained.

The director also urged state actors to deepen cooperation with civil society organisations and business partners as part of a broader effort to raise the profile in the fight against toxic waste dumping, poverty and promoting green growth.

Citing examples of toxic waste spills in Nigeria in 1988 and the Probo Koala scandal in Cote d’Ivoire in 2006 Koudenoukpo  said that African nations have long been at the centre of incidents involving hazardous waste dumping and that it was time to bring this unfortunate situation to an end.

Riding the continent of hazardous waste

While pursuing the objectives of the Convention, UNEP officials say the second Conference of the Parties (COP2) to the Bamako Convention provides the opportunity for the different stakeholders to ensure the continent rids itself of hazardous wastes and contribute to the achievement of a pollution-free planet.

“During these high level talks the ministers agreed that the time for a new momentum for Africa to rid itself of hazardous waste and contribute to achieving a pollution free planet is now,” Koudenoukpo said.

So far only 25 African countries have ratified the Bamako Convention treaty. The new President of the COP2 to the Bamako Convention also appealed to the other countries in the continent that are still dragging their feet to ratify and join the struggle.

– PAMACC News Agency