LASG INITIATES PLAN ON WASTE-TO-WEALTH POLICY
… Reinstates commitment to a prosperous socio-economic environment
The Lagos State government has disclosed that its new waste management approach is designed to use solid waste to generate wealth while assuring citizens of its commitment to the realisation of a sustainable environment for socio-economic posterity.
Speaking at the ongoing Y2018 Ministerial Press briefing in commemoration of the third year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, stated that in the promotion of waste recycling as a waste reduction strategy, the State has registered 398 recycling related facilities while 2,875,319kg materials ranging from cartons, cans, pet bottles, paper and LDPE have been recovered and recycled within the last one year.
He affirmed that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) remains the panacea for delivering efficient and effective solid waste management in the State with its attendant benefits such as job creation, cleaner, safer and healthier environment.
He said: “It is noteworthy that the Epe Landfill under construction by Visionscape is achieving remarkable progress with the completion of the weigh-in Bridge among other facilities, while Portland Energy and Power is mobilizing to site for the commencement of work on Erikiti Engineered Hazardous Landfill in Badagry”.
Durosinmi-Etti informed that the Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) under construction will enhance the turn-around time of waste compactors to further ease the waste challenge across the State.
The Commissioner further said within the year under review, massive investment in water infrastructure has significantly increased access to potable water in the State, revealing that 10 Million Gallons per Day has been added to the water supply.
“The State government’s consistency with its greening policy is paying a lot of premium to the aesthetics of the environment as well as the achievement of a cleaner and healthier environment”, he averred.
He also noted that to enhance the environmental sustainability and meet the recreational needs of the citizenry, the State government in the last one year has embarked on aggressive greening, tree planting, beautification, landscaping and establishment of parks and gardens through the State.
According to him, “In line with the greening policy of the present administration which is aimed at aiding climate, the Lagos State Government has encouraged the establishment of Parks and Gardens Units in all LGAs and LCDAs to promote the ideals of greening and stimulate the development of recreational parks at the grassroots”.
The Commissioner declared that the government has been consistent in ensuring that corporate organisations, groups and individuals conduct their activities without abusing the environment, which is the superstructure on which civilization rests.
On the activities of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, Durosinmi-Etti stated that the Agency has arrested a total number of 2,097 environmental offenders, out of which 136 were engaged in community service across the metropolis while others were arraigned for prosecution in line with the Law.
While imploring Lagos Residents to join in the crusade of a sustainable cleaner society, the Commissioner stated that the issues of environmental sustainability are people-centric, hence, the goal of the State government advocacy programme is to induce voluntary compliance and foster greater understanding among different stakeholders for the protection of the environment.