The European Commission has received requests from Nigeria and 23 other non-members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries seeking inclusion in the list of nations eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union.

Non-hazardous waste, which accounts for 95.6 per cent of solid waste produced in Europe, includes municipal waste such as packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as demolition materials like concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.

In a statement issued on Monday, the request was made in line with the new Waste Shipments Regulation, introduced as part of the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.

The regulation aims to establish stricter rules for the shipment of waste, including imports and exports between the EU and non-OECD countries. One key measure is the full ban on the export of plastic waste from the EU by November 2026.

Countries applying for eligibility to import non-hazardous waste must demonstrate their ability to manage these materials in an environmentally sound manner, with conditions that meet or exceed those of the EU.

The European Commission requires detailed information from the applicants to assess their readiness for this responsibility.

The countries that have submitted requests include Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Vietnam, alongside Nigeria.

“By that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after 21 May 2027 from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam,” the EC said.

“The Commission will evaluate these applications and prepare a list of approved countries by November 2026. From May 2027 onwards, any country not included in this list will be prohibited from importing waste from the EU.

“However, countries that missed the February 2025 deadline can still submit requests, although there is no guarantee their assessment will be finalised before the first list is adopted.

“The first list of countries authorised to receive waste from the EU will be established by 21 November 2026. Exports of waste to non-OECD countries that are not included in the list will be prohibited from 21 May 2027. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.

“Countries that have not submitted a request by 21 February 2025 can still send one to the Commission. These requests will still be considered, but there is no guarantee that their assessment will be finalised before establishing the first list of countries authorised to import waste from the EU. This first list is planned for adoption in November 2026,” the statement concluded.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that Rivers people are enjoying an era of peace and freedom to undertake their endeavours without molestation or anxiety to trigger hypertension.

The Governor also said there is an increased level of openness to governance that makes his administration well-disposed to suggestions that help in making amends where necessary because it is a democracy.

Governor Fubara spoke during a courtesy visit by a delegation of Anglican Archbishops and their wives led by the Primate, Archbishop Metropolitan of All Nigeria, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, at Government House in Port Harcourt, recently.

The Governor stated that his administration understands that God is supreme, towers above every other thing, and nothing happens without His approval, and thanked them for standing with his administration in prayers, which has continued to provide strength to keep the course of governance focused.

He added, “It is not the noise that we are making, not the protests, but it is those quiet prayers, and fasting that you are doing for us. And you are seeing the result of it, with what we are doing in the state.

“The kind of governance we are giving. Not governance of hypertension but governance of peace. Governance that gives people freedom to operate, governance that listens and admits. Where we are faulting, we say yes, we are faulting, and we make amends. It is only your prayers that are giving us the direction and wisdom.”

Governor Fubara assured that seeing such divine help, his administration will not deviate from the fear of God in order not to lead the government into destruction.

The Governor recalled how the leadership of the Anglican Church made several efforts to mediate in the political crisis in the State because they had considered that since the dramatis personae were all faithful, it will be much easier to broker peace.

Governor Fubara, who regretted that the efforts of the top echelon of clergy were rebuffed, said maybe God designed it to be so that he could enjoy the current level of freedom to offer purposeful governance to the State.

Speaking on their chosen theme, “The Bond of Peace: The Call of the Life and the Ministry of the Church”, Governor Fubara said peace remains the most valuable virtue to strive for because even Jesus Christ knew its importance, and bequeathed it to His disciplines at the point of His ascension to Heaven.

He stressed, “It is the only thing that is needed not just for our State, but for this country going by what we are seeing, read in the papers, experience in the market, encounter in the road, and how we even manage our families to be parents. What we really need is peace so that everything will become normal.”

In his address, Primate, Archbishop Metropolitan of All Nigeria, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, said Archbishops are in Rivers State for the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, which holds twice every year; in February and in September.

Most Rev. Ndukuba stated that for this Standing Committee, they chose the theme, “The Bond of Peace: The Call of the Life and the Ministry of the Church”, taken from Ephesians 4 verse 3, adding that they will make crucial decisions as they depend on God to build people of faith among themselves.

He said: “The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion has about 170 Bishops and over 165 Dioceses with membership of over 20million Nigerians.

“Our ministry covers both within and outside of Nigeria, having missions across the world, including United States of America and Canada, and also UK and European missions and Golf States. We have missionaries across Africa.”

Most Rev. Ndukuba expressed gratitude to God for divinely ordaining Governor Fubara to govern Rivers State and equipping him to lead with the fear of God and steadied governance despite the political upheavals.

He said, “Leadership is a sacred trust from God Almighty, and as God’s people, the Scripture enjoins us to pray for those in authority. We are here to assure you of our prayers and to appreciate what God is doing through you.

“In spite of the challenges that you are facing, we thank God that you have kept focused, and you are executing the things that you need to do as the Executive Governor of this State.

“We want to thank you for creating enabling environment to enable businesses thrive, adding that different religions will have the freedom to practice their faith, both Christianity and the other religions.”

Most Rev. Ndukuba stated further: “But, particularly, we appreciate your support for the Christian Church, especially for the Anglican Church. And we thank God that you are a bonafide member of this church. We appreciate what you have allowed God to use you to do.”

Meanwhile, the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Archbishops’ Standing Committee Meeting (SCM), is slated to be declared open on Wednesday (today) at the St. Cyprain’s Anglican Church, in Old Port Harcourt Township by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Highlights of the visit were prayers by the Archbishops for the Governor and his Government, the State and the Nation; as well as presentation of suovenir gifts to the visitors.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for partnership between the State Government and the new General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and all forms of maritime crimes in the State.

The Governor emphasised that Rivers State, as the economic strength of Nigeria, places enormous tasks on those saddled with the responsibility to protecting critical national infrastructure to synergise on strategies to tackle real challenges to enable Nigeria effectively function as a nation.

Governor Fubara made the remark when he played host to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major-General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, on courtesy visit to Government House in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.

Governor Fubara stated the importance of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, as according to him, it is saddled with a lot of responsibilities, including protecting all national assets within its jurisdiction.

The Governor, however, noted that it is difficult to achieve such feat of protecting national assets without ensuring that there is peace in the State.

Governor Fubara said: “I am really happy that you are here to do the ritual. Nothing very special. Coming here to see me doesn’t mean that we have any special relationship. It is normal, and that is the right thing to do. I need to say this so that, maybe, other persons can also understand.

“We have received the Chief of Army Staff. Very unfortunately, he had passed on. He came here for an assignment, and he visited us. But, you won’t believe that the outgone GOC did not come here for one day to see us, at least, not for anything, but to assure us that look, we have a common interest, and we are going to work together.

“Definitely, we are not going to ask him to do anything that is unprofessional, but to have this working relationship, because you need us to succeed, and we also need you to succeed.”

Governor Fubara noted that he appreciated the honour accorded to his administration by the courtesy visit, and assured to provide support within the capacity of government to make sure that the GOC succeeded in his enormous task.

The Governor also extended appreciation to other officers in his entourage who have been working round the clock in addressing security challenges in crisis-ridden communities to ensure that there is peace and tranquility in the State.

He said, “And, finally, I want to say that our task today is becoming gradually complicated because of the set of people that have chosen to become problem to this country. We have issues of pipeline vandalization, destruction of gas and crude oil pipelines. And also, the worst part of it is some persons who have decided to engineer community crisis in most areas of oil operations.

“So, please, while you’re taking that responsibility as part of your assignment, wherever we need to come in, endeavour to reach out to us, so that we can also apply our own mechanism, because when it comes to issues of chieftaincy, it is within our power.”

Governor Fubara insisted: “And when it comes to issues of community relationship, it is also within our power. So, we can join hands together to bring peace in those areas so that operations can also flow smoothly.”

In his speech, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, said recently, there was a change of baton across formations in the Nigerian Army, and he was posted to 6 Division as the General Officer Commanding.

Major General Emekah, stated that having resumed duties on 24th January, 2025, and taken over from his predecessor, who has been reassigned to Abuja, he decided to pay a courtesy visit to formally introduce himself to the Governor.

He said: “My visit here this afternoon is customary in the military, and I believe, in other organizations too, that when you assume Command, you pay courtesy visit to your hosts, political masters, traditional rulers and other stakeholders within your area of responsibility.

“And being the Chief Host of 6 Division, I deemed it very necessary to come here this afternoon to formally introduce myself to you. Also, to thank you for the enabling environment that you have given to the Army to operate in the State.

“And to say that the task of the Division is very easy: It is simple and straight, which is the protection of critical national infrastructure in the maritime and the oil domains, and also to ensure security in the South-South region. I pledge that we will give it our utmost attention to ensure that everything is done as expected.”