VZCZCXRO0224
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0789/01 3611232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271232Z DEC 07
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9656
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 9400
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0160
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000789 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - HANDLE ACCORDINGLY 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W, INR/AA, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/OSAC, 
CA/OCS/ACS/AF 
OSLO FOR HELENA SCHRADER 
DOE FOR GPERSON, CAROLYN GAY 
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS, SRENENDER, DFIELDS 
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS 
STATE PASS USTR FOR ASST USTR FLISER 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD 
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND MSTUCKART 
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT 
STATE PASS EXIM FOR JRICHTER 
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DELTA STATE PURSUES PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN 
WASTE MANAGEMENT & FORESTRY; LITTLE REGULATION 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: The Delta State Ministry of Environment is 
looking for assistance from donor agencies and private sector 
investment to spearhead projects such as erosion control, 
reforestation for timber, and waste management.  The Delta 
State Waste Management Board, which falls under the purview 
of the Ministry of Environment, operates 27 trucks in 17 
towns throughout the state but because waste management and 
recycling are capital intensive, the Board is also trying to 
partner with the private sector. End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Assistance for Ecology & Conservation 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Commissioner Lawrence Osiegbu of the Delta State 
Ministry of Environment admitted his Ministry has a "little 
bit of a problem" funding its projects and he, formerly a 
private businessman in Lagos, said the Ministry welcomes 
external assistance and investment.  The Ministry of 
Environment is responsible for sanitation/waste management, 
ecology (erosion, flood control and oil spills), forestry and 
conservation.  Osiegbu reasoned since Lagos receives 
assistance from the World Bank, Delta should as well.  He 
also implied international oil companies (IOCs) such as 
Chevron should create conservation centers in Delta State, as 
they had in Lagos. 
 
¶3.  (U) Osiegbu said the Ministry's ecology department 
liaises with IOCs and communities affected by oil spills.  He 
applauded Chevron's quick response and open communication 
with the Ministry in the event of oil spills and on other 
matters. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Invest in Forestry & Waste Management! 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Osiegbu wanted to increase private sector-driven 
industries and find private partners to invest in 
reforestation for the timber industry.  This would help 
diversify the state's economy, he argued, but he lamented 
that raw Nigerian products are exported to Asian markets 
where they are processed and standardized for American 
markets.  Further, Osiegbu would like a waste management 
company to introduce composting to the state.  He has 
identified one interested group but said lack of finances and 
steep operation costs of working in riverine areas was a 
challenge. 
 
¶5.  (U) The three-year-old Delta State Waste Management 
Board, which falls under the Ministry of Environment, 
operates 27 trucks in 17 towns.  In a separate meeting with 
Poloffs, the Executive Chairman of the Waste Management Board 
said waste management and recycling are captal intensive; 
therefore the Board would like to partner with private 
sectors on "waste to wealth."  The Chairman said private 
companies augment waste collection in the state and use 
designated waste and sewage dumpsites. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) However, the Board said both private citizens and 
private waste collectors have a "bad attitude" towards 
sanitation and do not comply with regulations.  Citizens 
ignore large dumpsters placed around the city (which Poloffs 
noted) and private waste companies both within and outside 
Delta State dump in unauthorized areas.  This, they argued, 
contributes to water borne diseases.  While there are laws 
against dumping and penalties for offenders, the Task Force 
responsible for monitoring this is reportedly limited by 
 
LAGOS 00000789  002 OF 002 
 
 
"financial constraints."  The Board said it would like to see 
improved monitoring and observation by 2008. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Our meetings with both the Ministry of Environment 
and the Waste Management Board highlighted Delta State 
Government's interest in pursuing public-private partnerships 
and investment throughout the state.  Because government 
enforcement and regulation is relatively light in the area of 
waste management, there may be an opportunity to partner with 
state officials to build their capacity to combat illegal 
dumping and public health awareness campaigns.  However, at 
this time, the state government appears more focused on 
receiving donations and investment than internally-driven 
improvements. End Comment. 
 
¶8.  (U) This cable was cleared by Embassy Abuja. 
BLAIR