STAFF WRITER
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday called for more fforts to reduce the use of plastic bags and encouraged a smooth transition to environmentally friendly options.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government and private sector will work together to promote environmentally friendly options.
She was speaking at the commemoration of World Environment Day, held under the theme: ‘Putting an End to Plastic Pollution’.
”The proliferation of plastic waste poses a growing threat to our ecosystems, marine life, human health, and long-term sustainability. Namibia, as a proud member of the international community, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating plastic pollution and accelerating our transition to a cleaner and more resilient environment,” she said.
The president noted that the roll-out of the programme falls under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), to move away from the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ model and promote practices that are regenerative by design.
She said some of the measures include recycling, waste recovery, and the sustainable use of resources, all of which are crucial for reducing pressure on the environment and enabling green economic growth.
“Government urges the private sector to invest in infrastructure for collection, sorting and recycling of waste to ease the burden on municipalities and households while creating opportunities for green entrepreneurship and jobs. “In the same vein, Namibia
continues to participate in global negotiations towards the adoption of a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, and we remain committed to phasing out single-use plastics,” she said.
She highlighted that Namibia has already banned the use of plastics in national parks and is reviewing environmental regulations to enhance compliance and
enforcement.
“Environmental clubs, educational materials, and youth engagement initiatives are being rolled out to build a generation of environmentally responsible citizens. The protection of our environment is not the responsibility of the government alone. It is a shared obligation,” she added.
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