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RDI urges NAFDAC to remain undeterred in enforcing sachet alcohol ban

Michael Simire
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RDI urges NAFDAC to remain undeterred in enforcing sachet alcohol ban

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) not to be intimidated by the alcohol and beverage industry’s blackmail tactics as it presses ahead with enforcing the ban on the production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles of 200ml or less.

The enforcement exercise, which began on January 22, 2026, is the culmination of more than two years of back and forth between NAFDAC and the alcohol industry over the implementation.

The Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers, and Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria had signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health and NAFDAC in December 2018 to phase out production of alcohol in sachet and PET bottles less than 200 ml by January 31, 2024.

Alcoholic drinks in sachet
Alcoholic drinks in sachets and small volume bottles

At the expiration of the deadline a further extension was given to enable members to adequately prepare for the ban.  

The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), which claimed that the ban has disrupted operations of many of its members in different parts of the country, has criticised the policy. There has also been pushback from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), both of which also hinged their arguments on job losses.

NAFDAC has however insisted that there is no going back on the policy, insisting that its decision was informed by health risks for children whose physiological systems are exposed to alcohol early and the damage it causes.

RDI Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, said: We must commend NAFDAC for this bold life-saving action. The enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol is long overdue, and it is a step in the right direction. NAFDAC must remain undeterred by the usual rhetoric of the beverage and alcohol industry whose line of argument is usually about imaginary job losses because of their prioritization of profits over health.

“We have said it time and again that alcohol harm is a major but under-addressed driver of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions. Not only adults: Children are victims of this menace and science has proven it.”

While dismissing the beverage and alcohol industry arguments, Jakpor pointed out that it is a known and well documented fact that the industry and their front groups deliberately stand in the way of any form of regulation.

He cited the Movendi International 2025 Big Alcohol Exposed Report which documented 1,300 cases and 77 independent studies of the alcohol industry’s global system of interference that obstructs evidence-based alcohol policy despite strong public support.

“The sustained effort by alcohol lobby in Nigeria to kill and bury the enforcement of the sachet alcohol ban through a potential job loss claim is a clear testament that reinforces a statement in the Big Alcohol Exposed Report that the alcohol industry operates through concrete policy arenas, institutional arrangements, and political moments, adapting to local contexts while following a deliberate and recognisable global strategy.”

While urging NAFDAC to stand firm in the face of the gathering storm, he said that the new policy is epochal and would be a shining example to other African countries that are also entangled in the industry’s web of lies to sustain their grip on consumers including innocent children.

“We use this medium to commend NAFDAC and its director-general, Professor Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, for placing the wellness of Nigerian citizens far and above profit motives.  Nigerians fully support this action. The false narrative and twisted rhetoric of the alcohol industry to continue business as usual will fail this time,” he insisted.

TASC’s Shelley Estcourt named Carbon Project Development CEO of the Year

Michael Simire
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TASC’s Shelley Estcourt named Carbon Project Development CEO of the Year

Shelley Estcourt, CEO of Africa for leading carbon project developer, TASC, has been named Carbon Project Development CEO of the Year at CEO Monthly’s Female CEO of the Year Awards 2025.

The accolade recognises her leadership in scaling high-integrity carbon projects across the continent at a time when demand for credible African-generated credits is rapidly increasing.

Under Shelley’s leadership, TASC is said to have expanded its portfolio of clean cookstove, grassland restoration and other nature-based solutions, helping position Africa as one of the world’s most promising regions for transparent, socially impactful carbon projects.

Shelley Estcourt
Shelley Estcourt, CEO of TASC Africa

With Article 6 frameworks now taking greater shape and confidence returning to the voluntary carbon market, Shelley has been a strong advocate for Africa’s ability to supply high-quality credits that deliver real climate outcomes while transforming local communities.

Of the accolade, Shelley Estcourt said: “This award arrives at a critical juncture for African carbon markets. It reflects not just my work, but the dedication of our team across South Africa and the wider continent who are committed to delivering high-impact, high-integrity climate solutions. With clearer Article 6 pathways and growing awareness of the co-benefits that credible carbon projects can create – from cleaner air to women’s economic participation – our continent is entering a pivotal moment. I’m confident that 2026 will be a breakthrough year for African carbon markets.”

Nick Marshall, CEO and Co-Founder of TASC, added: “Shelley has led our South African business from strength to strength. Her drive, integrity and deep understanding of both community needs, and investor expectations have been pivotal to TASC becoming the largest carbon project developer in South Africa. We’re incredibly proud of her achievements and excited for what her leadership means as we head into 2026, a year that promises enormous progress for high-quality African carbon projects.”

TASC says it works across the continent to identify, structure and scale commercially viable carbon projects that deliver measurable climate impact, durable co-benefits and long-term value for African partners and communities.

Credibility of France’s climate leadership on the line as Senate votes to revive oil and gas extraction overseas

Michael Simire
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Credibility of France’s climate leadership on the line as Senate votes to revive oil and gas extraction overseas

At a time when the climate crisis has never been more urgent, the French Senate on Thursday, January 29, 2026, adopted a bill to revive oil and gas extraction in French overseas territories, in an unprecedented move to dismantle a cornerstone of French climate policy.

The proposal tramples on the legacy of the landmark 2017 Hulot Law, which prohibits the granting of new licenses for the exploration of oil and gas and mandates a complete end to all oil and gas extraction on French soil, including overseas territories, by 2040.

Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron, President of France

At odds with scientific evidence and the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States with regard to climate change, the decision has been described as an insult to frontline communities who bear the brunt of climate impacts. At a time when every tenth of a degree counts, the bill severely undermines the credibility of France’s climate leadership.

Fanny Petitbon, 350.org France Country Manager, said: “France is shattering its international credibility. By opening French overseas territories to oil drilling, the Senate is effectively tearing up the Paris Agreement. This isn’t sovereignty, it is a betrayal of the country’s climate diplomacy and its own people. The claim that oil and gas extraction ensures energy sovereignty is a cynical lie that rings hollow for frontline communities, where rising seas and devastating cyclones demonstrate the true cost of fossil fuels. Instead of sacrificing these territories, French decision-makers must tax the windfall profits of fossil fuel giants and accelerate the shift to renewables for its energy needs.

“While the Government’s late opposition to this legislative proposal remains necessary, the National Assembly must now hold the line. France cannot pretend to be a climate champion while subsidising destruction at home. It is time to end the era of fossil fuels, not to entrench it further by ignoring the dignity of those on the frontlines.”

NNPC unveils Gas Master Plan 2.0, Ekpo says milestone represents nation’s devpt aspirations

Michael Simire
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NNPC unveils Gas Master Plan 2.0, Ekpo says milestone represents nation’s devpt aspirations

As part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s gas sector as the engine room of national industrialisation, energy security, and sustainable economic growth, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially unveiled its Gas Master Plan (GMP) 2026, tagged NGMP 2026.

The unveiling, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, January 30, 2026, marks a strategic inflection point in Nigeria’s energy transition journey, underscoring government’s resolve to translate the nation’s vast gas endowment into tangible economic value, infrastructure expansion, and global competitiveness, in alignment with its long-term development aspirations.

NNPC
L-R: Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye; Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and MD of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle; Board Chairman, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Ahmadu Musa-Kida; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; GCEO NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) and CEO of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade during the Official Launch of the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026 in Abuja, on Friday

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the Gas Master Plan as a deliberate pivot from policy articulation to disciplined execution, anchored on commercial viability and integrated sector-wide coordination.

“Today’s launch is not merely the unveiling of a document; it represents a deliberate shift towards a more integrated, commercially driven, and execution-focused gas sector, aligned with Nigeria’s development aspirations. Nigeria is fundamentally a gas Nation. With one of the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, our challenge has never been potential, but translation: translating resources into reliable supply, infrastructure into value, and policy into measurable outcomes for our economy and our people. The Gas Master Plan speaks directly to this challenge.”

Ekpo further noted that the Plan’s strong focus on supply reliability, infrastructure expansion, domestic and export market flexibility, and strategic partnerships aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, positioning natural gas as the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security, industrialisation, and just energy transition.

In his address, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the NNPC Gas Master Plan 2026 as a bold, effective execution-anchored roadmap designed to unlock Nigeria’s immense gas potential and elevate the country into a globally competitive gas hub.

Ojulari noted that with about 210 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas reserves and an upside potential of up to 600 Tcf, Nigeria possesses one of the most consequential hydrocarbon basins in the world; one reinforced by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Federal Government’s gas-centric energy transition agenda.

“The Plan is structured not just to deliver – but to exceed- the Presidential mandate of increasing national gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while catalysing over 60 billion dollars in new investments across the oil and gas value chain by 2030.”

He explained that the Plan prioritises cost optimisation, operational excellence, and systematic advancement of resources from 3P to bankable 2P reserves, while strengthening gas supply to power generation, CNG, LPG, Mini-LNG, and critical industrial off-takers.

Reaffirming his personal commitment as Chief Sponsor of the initiative, the NNPC Ltd GCEO stressed that the Company has adopted a more collaborative, investor-centric approach in shaping the NGMP 2026, with strong alignment to industry stakeholders, partners, and investors.

In a goodwill message at the occasion, the Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers’ Group (IPPG) and CEO of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, said: “This is giving a shot in the arm to the economy which will bridge the gap between intent and reality. Gas thrives on value chain, from upstream to offtakers. As IPPG members, we reiterate our commitment and support to this initiative.”

Also lending his voice to the initiative, the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) and MD of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, thanked the NNPC Ltd for the ambition behind the NNPC GMP, stressing that his organisation supports the core operating principles of the Plan.

The Gas Master Plan 2026 is expected to serve as the definitive framework for coordinated gas sector development, execution discipline, and value creation over the next decade.

The Gas Master Plan 2026 is an offshoot of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) 2008, which is a strategic framework aimed at maximizing the economic benefits from the country’s abundant gas resources. Another significant dimension to the NGMP 2026 is the utmost attention to full alignment with the Nigerian Decade of Gas Programme.

LAWMA warns against attacks on enforcement officers

Michael Simire
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LAWMA warns against attacks on enforcement officers

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has warned members of the public against attacking, harassing or obstructing its enforcement officers while carrying out lawful duties across the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by its Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Lagos.

Gbadegesin expressed concern over recent incidents in which its enforcement personnel were threatened or assaulted in the course of enforcing environmental sanitation laws.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin

He described such actions as unacceptable.

He noted that enforcement officers were deployed to protect public health, ensure compliance with waste management regulations and keep Lagos clean.

Gbadegesin stressed that any form of violence or intimidation against LAWMA officials would be met with the full weight of the law.

He said the authority’s enforcement activities were backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.

The LAWMA boss urged residents to cooperate with enforcement officers, comply with approved waste disposal guidelines and report environmental infractions through appropriate channels rather than resorting to confrontation.

He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to firm but fair enforcement, public engagement and the protection of its personnel.

Gbadegesin also called on community leaders, market associations and transport unions to support efforts aimed at promoting order, safety and environmental responsibility across the state.

According to him, LAWMA remains resolute in its mandate to deliver a cleaner, healthier and more liveable city for all residents.

Ghana, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative host High-Level National Dialogue on Just Transition

Michael Simire
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Ghana, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative host High-Level National Dialogue on Just Transition

Ghana’s Ministry of Climate Change and Sustainability, led by the Minister Seidu Issifu, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, hosted a High-Level Dialogue in Accra, bringing together government officials, industry leaders and representatives across financial institutions and academia to explore how the country could both shape and benefit from emerging global frameworks for a just transition away from fossil fuels to equitable renewable energy systems, including a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

The convening marked a significant national moment to examine pathways for a fair, fast and financed transition and support the development of a coordinated engagement strategy and consultative process among sectors of Ghana’s society. The dialogue took place as the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, a mechanism to foster international cooperation for a managed and equitable global transition, continues to gain momentum globally.

Fossil Fuel Treaty
Participants at the High-Level Dialogue in Accra

In particular, as nations across the globe prepare for the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, hosted by the governments of Colombia and The Netherlands in April 2026.

Ghana’s position at the intersection of deepening climate vulnerability and debt crisis highlights the growing urgency for a Fossil Fuel Treaty that would facilitate finance, technical support, pathways for economic diversification and debt relief for nations that are disproportionately burdened.

While 18 nations from the Pacific, Caribbean, Latin America and South East Asia are currently involved in discussions to advance the proposed Treaty, Ghana’s decision to host this high-level engagement signals its intent to actively contribute to the global conversation and to ensure that African priorities and realities are reflected in just transition frameworks.

Seidu Issifu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Republic of Ghana, said: “Ghana welcomes the idea of a Fossil Fuel Treaty and recognises the efforts of the growing bloc of nations already engaging in discussions across the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. As momentum builds, it is time for more African nations to join this bloc so that the terms of any future agreement prioritise Africa’s development needs, secure transition finance, unlock technology transfer, support debt relief, and ensure that no one is left behind.

“We see the proposed Treaty as a key piece of the puzzle, a framework that can help unlock finance, support debt relief, and create a fair global pathway to transition away from fossil fuels in line with the 1.5-degree goal. The global just transition will not be delivered by slogans. It will be delivered through patient diplomacy, credible finance, institutional reform, and political courage.”

Kumi Naidoo, President, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, said: “This High-Level Dialogue is a vital step in ensuring that African voices and priorities shape both the Fossil Fuel Treaty process and the broader global transition away from fossil fuels. At a moment when the world needs solutions grounded in justice and equity, Ghana’s leadership shows that African nations refuse to be sidelined in defining the future of the transition and are ready to co-create the solutions.

“This engagement is essential to build an understanding that addresses the needs of the people first and foremost and contribute to a global framework that addresses the needs of other climate-vulnerable nations and accelerates meaningful action.”

Hubert Zan, Lead Mitigation Negotiator for Ghana, said: “A Fossil Fuel Treaty is doable. There are a few countries that have supported the proposal for a Treaty thus far, but there is a clear framework in which we can believe, and we hope that we will be able to adapt it. The objectives are ending the expansion of fossil fuels, managing the decline of existing production, and supporting the transition for workers and communities.

“It’s our shared responsibility to promote this proposal, in order to have more nations on board that identify with what we are trying to do. We need to provide a legal framework and finance and ensure that the pathways for the just transition are clear. Our collective actions will make sure that we are able to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees.”

The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty is anchored in three pillars – a global just transition away from fossil fuels, where wealthy nations provide technical support and finance for developing nations to transition and equitably expand renewable energy access, diversify their economies and harness alternative development pathways; an end to the expansion of new fossil fuel projects; and an equitable phase out, which would require wealthy nations to phase out existing fossil fuel extraction first and fastest while providing support to fossil fuel dependent developing nations for the transition.

Lagos unveils WASH data platform, strengthens sector coordination

Michael Simire
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0
Lagos unveils WASH data platform, strengthens sector coordination

The Lagos State Government, with the support of WaterAid Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery with the unveiling of its WASH Management Information System (LAWMIS).

The platform was presented on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Sector Coordination and Planning Committee (SCPC) meeting of the WASH sector held at Amber Residence, Ikeja.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, said the adoption of the Lagos State WASH Policy and the SCPC’s inauguration had provided a renewed mandate to harmonise interventions and accelerate service delivery across the state.

WASH sector
Participants at the Sector Coordination and Planning Committee (SCPC) meeting of the WASH sector

Adegbite said the meeting aimed at reviewing sector activities for 2025, aligning work plans for 2026, and identifying concrete deliverables toward achieving universal and sustainable WASH services.

According to him, effective coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local governments, development partners and the private sector remains critical to eliminating duplication, improving accountability and ensuring efficient service delivery.

He noted that LAWMIS would strengthen planning, monitoring and reporting by providing reliable, real-time data to guide evidence-based decision-making in the sector.

In his presentation, the Lagos Project Lead, WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Adebayo Alao, underscored the importance of sector coordination as provided in the Lagos State WASH Policy.

Alao explained that while the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and its agencies formed the core of the WASH sector, effective service delivery depended on collaboration with other MDAs.

He listed other MDAs for collaboration as including Health, Education, Works, Physical Planning and local governments.

Alao said the Sector Coordination and Planning Committee served as a platform for aligning policies, investments and interventions.

He noted that challenges such as WASH in schools, cholera response, groundwater management and infrastructure protection required inter-agency collaboration.

Alao added that the overall goal of sector coordination was to build a vibrant, efficient and effective WASH sector in Lagos State, driven by policy, adequate financing and reliable data.

He also stressed the need for inclusive WASH infrastructure that catered for women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

WaterAid Nigeria said its support for the coordination meeting aligned with its systems-strengthening objectives to improve governance, planning and coordination in the WASH sector.

The meeting also reviewed sector activities for the last quarter of 2025 and discussed plans for 2026, in line with the state’s approved budget and WASH policy implementation roadmap.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed on the need for regular quarterly coordination meetings to sustain momentum and ensure effective implementation of sector plans.

By Fabian Ekeruche

Japan backs UNESCO with $50,000 to boost flood resilience in Niger

Michael Simire
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0
Japan backs UNESCO with $50,000 to boost flood resilience in Niger

The Government of Japan and UNESCO have signed an Arrangement Letter to implement a $50,000 flood resilience project in Niger State.

The project aims at strengthening long-term societal stability and reducing the impact of climate-induced flooding.

The signing ceremony for the project titled: “Strengthening Flood Resilience in Nigeria to Foster Long-Term Societal Stability with Focus on Niger State”, took place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Abuja.

Mohammed Umar Bago
Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State

The ceremony marked the formal launch of a 12-month window for implementation in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger.

The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Hideo Suzuki, said the project reflected a shared commitment to turning vulnerabilities into strength and crisis into opportunities.

He recalled that, in 2025, flooding claimed over 500 lives and displaced over 1,000 persons in Niger State, hence the need to prepare against such disasters in the future.

“Last year, particularly Mokwa area, over 500 lives were lost, over 1,000 displaced, critical infrastructure and vast farmlands were ravaged, so much and these are not mere statistics, but human stories of loss and hardship.

“This is why the Government of Japan is about to support this UNESCO project with approximately $50,000, and over the next 12 months we will shift from reactive disaster response to proactive climate resilient development.

“We will ensure capacity building, strengthened early warning systems, nuclear production and innovative climate risk, informed decision analysis methodology towards the project.”

According to him, the project aligns with Japan’s development priorities under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and supports key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 and SDG 13.

In his remarks, Dr John-Paul Abiaga, UNESCO Head of Office in Nigeria, said the 2025 floods exposed the urgent need to move from emergency response to preparedness and coordinated action.

“The impact of the 2025 flood in Niger State showed us the urgent need to move from reacting to disasters, to preparing for them.

“We need to move from fragmented efforts to coordinated action and from short term relief to lasting resilience,” he said.

Abiaga described the project as a science-driven and community-focused intervention.

“This project is about preparing community for early action, about improving coordination in climate informed decision making, and also in training experts, Nigerian experts,” he said.

He expressed UNESCO’s appreciation to the Government of Japan and other stakeholders for their support, describing the Arrangement Letter as a promise to protect lives and livelihoods.

Dr Aisha Ndayako, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, said the office remained fully committed to the successful implementation of the project.

According to her, the Ecological Project Office has the statutory responsibility for coordinating national efforts aimed at providing sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s ecological challenges.

“These realities underscore the urgent need to move beyond emergency response and adopt proactive, community-centered and climate resilient solution.”

Ndayako assured that the project’s lessons and best practices would serve as a model for other flood-prone communities across the country.

Dr Hajo Sani, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, said that although the project focused on Niger State, it had strong potential for replication nationwide.

“While the immediate focus is on Niger State, we see this project as a strong foundation, one that can generate practical lessons, test models and their momentum for replication in other flood prone region of Nigeria,” she said.

Earlier, Dr Enang Moma, National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, explained that the project was developed in response to the Japanese Supplementary Budget’s call for proposals.

She said the initiative aimed at strengthening national and community capacities for flood preparedness through improved institutional coordination, climate-risk-informed decision-making and targeted capacity development.

According to her, the Arrangement Letter signing ceremony formalises the partnership between UNESCO and the Government of Japan and officially launches the project to support flood resilience and long-term stability in Nigeria.

The project objectives included formalising the partnership, raising public awareness, demonstrating Japan’s commitment to climate-resilient development.

The objectives also include reaffirming long-standing cooperation between Japan and UNESCO in Nigeria.

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

Philippines: Group urges govt to prioritise waste reduction over waste-to-energy

Michael Simire
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0
Philippines: Group urges govt to prioritise waste reduction over waste-to-energy

As International Zero Waste Month draws to a close, environmental NGO, BAN Toxics, has urged the Philippine government to abandon plans to pursue waste-to-energy (WTE) as a solution to the country’s escalating waste problem.

The call came after Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced during the 25th anniversary of RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, that she intends to file a bill amending said law to allow the use of WTE technology for waste disposal. RA 9003 was the first law she signed as president.

Philippines
BAN Toxics urges the Philippine government to abandon plans to pursue waste-to-energy (WTE)

According to the group, the government should first focus on effectively implementing RA 9003 and addressing persistent gaps, noting that improper waste disposal, insufficient infrastructure, and lack of public awareness remain widespread. BAN Toxics emphasised that the law has yet to be fully realised, even after 25 years.

The 2023 Commission on Audit (COA) report shows that only a fraction of barangays have operational Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), with just 39 percent of barangays (16,418 of 42,046) served by MRFs in 2021. Many local government units also lack adequate sanitary landfills, with only 29.25 percent (478 of 1,634 LGUs) having access to SLFs, leaving much of the country’s waste improperly managed or sent to dumpsites instead of environmentally sound facilities.

Under RA 9003, LGUs are mandated to divert at least 25 percent of their solid waste through reuse, recycling, composting, and other resource recovery activities, with targets increasing every three years. However, official assessments show that many LGUs have struggled to meet these diversion requirements in practice, with much waste still unmanaged or improperly disposed.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also acknowledged a lack of recycling infrastructure and waste processing facilities as a key barrier to effective implementation, adding that waste segregation at the source remains inconsistent across local governments.

“We should first conduct a comprehensive assessment of RA 9003, and invest our efforts and resources in improving its implementation before considering waste-to-energy or other burn technologies,” said Jam Lorenzo, BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director and Head of Policy Development and Research.

According to Lorenzo, WTE is not clean energy, as it produces a wide range of toxic chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that remain in the environment for a long time. Citing a biomonitoring study by Zero Waste Europe from 2023–2024, Lorenzo said that even the most advanced waste incineration technologies emit unintentionally produced POPs, such as dioxins and furans.

He also noted that WTE facilities prefer dry, inorganic waste such as plastics due to its high energy content. “WTE is often framed as a solution to plastic pollution, but burning plastics creates new environmental and health risks by releasing toxic pollutants. Instead of reducing plastic waste, it only encourages continued virgin plastic production derived from fossil fuels, reinforcing dependence on extractive industries that drive pollution and climate change.”

The DENR estimates that the Philippines produces about 61,000 metric tons of solid waste every day, 12 to 24 percent of which is plastic. This translates to around 163 million plastic sachet packets, 48 million shopping bags, and 45 million thin-film bags used daily.

BAN Toxics is advocating for a Zero Waste framework to address the waste crisis, calling for decisive action to reduce or eliminate waste at the source by cutting reliance on plastics, especially single-use plastics, and ensuring accountability from producers and corporations for the full lifecycle of their products.

The approach emphasises designing products and systems that prevent waste from being generated, while promoting reusable and refillable packaging, community-based recycling and composting, and behavioral change among consumers to adopt more sustainable habits.

“Waste-to-energy may promise an easy solution, but it is a false one. Easy fixes rarely solve systemic problems. Lasting change comes from investing in systems and infrastructure needed to properly implement our waste management laws and reduce waste at the source,” Lorenzo said.

BAN Toxics stresses the need for a fundamental shift from fragmented, “end-of-pipe” waste disposal to integrated, sustainable, and holistic approaches. The group notes that current siloed efforts by the government can be inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful. It advocates for a systems approach that coordinates technologies, policies, and community actions to achieve more sustainable waste management outcomes. 

TotalEnergies, Mozambique announce restart of nation’s LNG activities

Michael Simire
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0
TotalEnergies, Mozambique announce restart of nation’s LNG activities

Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, met on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Afungi with President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, and have announced together the full restart of Mozambique LNG project activities.

This restart of project activities onshore and offshore follows the decision made on November 7, 2025, by Mozambique LNG consortium to lift the Force Majeure that was declared in 2021 and resume project activities.

Mozambique LNG
Daniel Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique, meets with Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, in Maputo to revive Mozambique’s gas project

During the meeting, the government of Mozambique confirmed its commitment to work together with Mozambique LNG to support the restart of project activities and address the consequences of the Force Majeure period. In particular, the Government confirmed all measures taken to address the security and the continued cooperation with Rwanda.

Construction activities have now restarted both offshore and onshore at Afungi site, with over 4,000 workers currently mobilised of which over 3,000 are Mozambican nationals. First LNG is expected in 2029 as the project progress is currently at 40% – almost all engineering and procurement of main equipments have been executed during the force majeure period.

The Mozambique LNG project will bring significant economic benefits to Mozambique during its development phase, notably through an ambitious local content plan. The project will provide up to 7,000 direct jobs for Mozambicans during construction, and contracts awarded to Mozambican compagnies are expected to amount to more than USD 4 billion.

In addition, Mozambique LNG has launched a large-scale socio-economic development programme to support local communities in Cabo Delgado province. The Mozambique LNG Foundation, established in 2023 and endowed with a budget of $200 million, has already delivered tangible results, with over 8,000 jobs created and 7,000 farmers and fishermen supported by the Foundation in Cabo Delgado province.

“The full restart of project activities marks a major milestone for Mozambique LNG and the country. I want to thank President Chapo and all Mozambican authorities for their commitment to the project. We are now working together to make this project a great success for the people of Mozambique,” said Pouyanné.

“This landmark project will position Mozambique as a major LNG exporter. With its strong local content, it will also bring lasting economic benefits to Mozambican people,” added Pouyanné.

“The resumption of the project represents a significant milestone for the national economy and reaffirms the confidence of international partners in Mozambique’s energy, institutional and human potential. It will have a direct and significant impact on job creation, both in construction phase and in the operational phase, stimulating the national labor market and promoting the capacity-building of Mozambican manpower.

“At the same time, it consolidates Mozambique’s positioning as a regional energy hub and reaffirms the country as a credible and relevant actor in the global Liquefied Natural Gas market, strengthening its geostrategic position and its role in global energy security,” said President Chapo.

The Mozambique LNG is a joint venture composed of TotalEnergies EP Mozambique Area 1 (26.5%, operator), Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area 1 (20%), ENH Rovuma Área Um (15%), ONGC Videsh Rovuma (10%), Beas Rovuma Energy Mozambique (10%), BPRL Ventures Mozambique (10%) and PTTEP Mozambique Area 1 (8.5%).

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