PROTEGO Workshop in Calabar, Nigeria
On December 6, 2024, PROTEGO hosted a Stakeholder Workshop in Nsidung, Calabar, bringing together key representatives from public, private, and civil society organizations to discuss marine litter challenges and collaborative solutions. The workshop served as a platform to educate stakeholders about the project’s objectives and facilitate meaningful discussions on the key challenges impacting marine ecosystems in Nigeria.
Notable attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Environment, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Cross River State Civil Society Network, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), alongside community members from the Nsidung Traders Union and Fish Dealers. These diverse perspectives contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the local waste management landscape and helped identify potential strategies for reducing plastic pollution and enhancing sustainable waste practices. The workshop reinforced PROTEGO’s commitment to collaborative action, ensuring that local expertise and stakeholder contributions guide the project’s implementation.
PROTEGO’s Site Visit to Nsidung, Calabar: Engaging Local Communities for Impact
As part of its commitment to marine litter reduction, the PROTEGO team in Nigeria visited Nsidung, a key marine litter hotspot in Calabar, Cross River State. The team engaged with community leaders, fishermen, and market traders, gaining valuable insights into local waste management challenges and identifying potential intervention strategies. Additionally, they met with representatives from Calabar South Local Government, including the Deputy Head and the Commissioner of Environment, both of whom expressed strong support for the project. Their commitment to collaborative action ensures that PROTEGO’s efforts are aligned with local governance frameworks, creating an enabling environment for sustainable waste management solutions.
Assessing Waste Pollution at the Qua River Bank
During the tour, the PROTEGO team also visited the Qua River bank at the University of Calabar, where they observed numerous drainage channels discharging significant amounts of waste into the river. This visit underscored the urgent need for improved waste infrastructure to prevent further contamination of local water bodies. The findings from this visit will help inform targeted intervention strategies aimed at reducing plastic waste and enhancing pollution control measures. By working closely with local communities, government agencies, and private sector partners, PROTEGO continues to drive impactful solutions to safeguard marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Guinea.
