LASG TO ENSURE SMART COMPLIANCE OF ALL FACILITIES BY 2021
The Lagos State government has revealed its desire to ensure seamless upgrade of all public and private facilities towards smart compliance by 2021, urging residents to take smart decisions in environmental management.
Disclosing this at the 2018 Compliance Workshop and Green Award, held recently at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, the State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosimi-Etti admitted that issues of compliance have remained critical in both government as well as general administration and the best way to solve the intricate challenges is to inculcate smart procedures in environmental management.
He said being smart compliant promotes efficiency, aiding sustainability of the environmental and social structure of any society, revealing that the State government is providing a system that will enhance integration of standards in the operation of facilities across the State.
“Lagos is desirous to project to the world a smart city of municipalities that use information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government and citizens welfare”, he declared.
While emphasising the need to develop an effective communication model towards achieving a seamless smart environment, the Commissioner implored all organisations to enhance their internal and external communication and highlight necessary compliance concerns in order to meet the timeline and other abatement deadlines.
“The Lagos State government has provided the platform for smart compliance in a smart city by ensuring that all laws of environment are harmonised in a single document called ‘The Lagos State Environmental Protection Law 2017’, where necessary requirements and expectations of environmental agencies from industrial, commercial and public facilities are outlined”, Durosinmi-Etti affirmed.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Eng. Antonio Ayodele revealed that in propelling the smart city initiative, organisations in the State must have a distinct environmental management plan enshrined in their policies, noting that all users of the environment should embrace self-regulation and take responsibilities for their actions.
The General Manager further stated that industries, commercial and religious houses in the State are expected to obtain the requisite approval prior to the commencement of their operations, which provide leverage for government to efficiently plan for environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the impact of smart compliance, Engr. Ayodele said that environmental risks are identified through proper planning and implantation of procedures, while human exposure to such risk will be minimised.
He opined that compliant performance will ensure resource optimisation, improve process performance, motivate workforce and ensure discipline.
Some of the companies awarded the LASEPA Green Award and Compliance Merit Recognition include; Nigeria Bottling Company, Crown Flour Mills Ltd, Chicken Republic, Techno Mobile Communication, 7up Bottling Company Ltd, Cadbury, PZ Cussons among others.