UNIPORT confers professorship on NESREA DG
The University of Port Harcourt has elevated Innocent Barikor, the Director General of NESREA, to the position of Professor of Political Economy and Development Studies.
This advancement coincided with the promotion of 45 additional staff members within the institution.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Vice Chancellor, Onwunari Georgewill, announced that the promotions for Barikor and the other staff were sanctioned during the 187th meeting of the Governing Council, presided over by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Mao Ohuabunwa.
“Prof. Georgewill further noted that 30 senior academics were elevated to the rank of Professor, while 16 others were promoted to Associate Professor after successfully completing the university's rigorous evaluation process,” the statement indicated.
Barikor took on the role of Director General of NESREA in May 2024.
Since his appointment, he has made significant strides in advancing environmental sustainability across the nation.
“Under his dedicated leadership, the Agency is actively executing the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme in sectors such as Food and Beverage, Battery, Used Tyres, and Electrical/Electronics. He has also been instrumental in developing essential legislation to enhance environmental governance, including the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024, the National Guidelines for the Implementation of EPR for (Plastic) Packaging, and the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, which is currently pending gazette.”
Prof. Barikor has achieved numerous milestones, including overseeing the review of the National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing Systems) Regulations 2009 and the National Environmental (International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) Regulations 2011. During his tenure, the agency conducted 1,671 compliance monitoring inspections across various facilities, resulting in the closure of 96 facilities due to environmental violations. To enhance efficiency and bring environmental governance closer to local communities, he decentralized NESREA offices in key states across the federation.
With the assistance of the Fleming Fund, financed by UKAid and implemented through Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and the Food and Agricultural Organization, he is outfitting the National Reference Laboratory in Port Harcourt with advanced equipment for environmental research and laboratory investigations, as well as installing a 30Kva solar power system to ensure a continuous 24-hour power supply to the laboratory.
In March of this year, the agency launched a National Industrial Decarbonisation Programme aimed at addressing emissions from the industrial sector and other sources. Additionally, it hosted an International Conference focused on enhancing the lead-battery recycling sector in Africa, under the Partnership for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling. His commitment and dedication have successfully attracted support from international partners, including the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the governments of Germany and Japan, the African Center for Protection, and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, as noted in the statement.
