• Sanwo Switch to Gas (SS2G) / Trash 4Cash Campaign

    By

    L-R: Member, The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs. Bukola Akoshile; Beneficiary, Sanwo Switch to Gas (SS2G) / trash 4cash campaign, Eleto qudus olamilekan; Guest of honour, Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Beneficiary, Sanwo Switch to Gas (SS2G) / trash 4cash campaign, Moshood Aramide and General Manager, (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Ayokunle Fasawe at the Sanwo Switch to Gas (SS2G) / trash 4cash campaign held at Elegbeta Playing Ground,  Isale EKo Lagos lsland. Recently

     

  • LAGOS TAKES SANITATION/ HYGIENE ADVOCACY TO MARKET LEADERS

    By

    As part of efforts to achieve an organised market as well as food security sustainability, the Lagos State Government has taken its market hygiene advocacy to market leaders.

    Addressing Market Leaders during the maiden edition of a one-day sensitization programme for Market leaders held at Ifako ijaiye Local Government Secretariat, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Omobolaji Gaji said the markets should be clean always, and a hygienic food handling process must be maintained to ensure socio-economic wellbeing.

    L-R … Director, Environmental Health Unit, office of Environmental Services, Sanitarian Olaewe Adewale, Iyaloja General of Ifako-Ijaiye, Local Government, Chief Doyin Ogunbiyi, Representatives of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Chairman and Head Human Resources, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Princess Bisi Mariam, Representatives of Director Drainage Maintenance, and Assistant Director, Engr. Yetunde Okanlawon and Representatives of Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services and Deputy Director, Sanitation Service Mrs. Omoyemi Balogun, during the One day sensitization program on the Cleanliness of market and foods for market leaders in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State held on the 21st of July 2022, at Ifako-Ijaiye Local government hall, College road, Ogba, Lagos State.

    Gaji said Lagos state had been the epicenter of diseases of public health importance since the 2014 Ebola case, Covid-19, Lassa fever and cholera establishing the associative link between the market environment, illnesses and diseases that threaten human existence.

    The Permanent Secretary represented by Deputy Director Sanitation, Mrs Omoyeni Balogun observed that in the market environment there are social behaviours that impacts the aesthetic of the environment which includes improper display and storage of foods and food items, Indiscriminate dumping of refuse, adding that the emerging epidemic and pandemic threats that confront humanity have links to markets.

    “Insanitary behaviours, Open defecation, littering and blocking the drainage system and more deface our markets and are threats to life and properties directly and indirectly” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary said all foods items pass through the market environment and are exposed to both intrinsic and extrinsic high-risk factors of unhealthy practices in the market environment saying that the way food items are displayed can bring about contamination from environmental pollutants.

    Gaji who frowned at indiscriminate refuse disposal under any guise reminded Lagosians especially market women and men to ensure that they sort their waste from the source saying that every stakeholder must be involved in the New environmental reforms.

    In her welcome address, the representative of the Chairman Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Princess Mariam Bisi emphasized that Lagos is the economic hub of Nigeria, adding that the statement will not have any significant meaning without the market and stakeholders that monitor the market environment.

    L-R … Director, Environmental Health Unit, office of Environmental Services, Sanitarian Olaewe Adewale, Iyaloja General of Ifako-Ijaiye,Local Government, Chief Doyin Ogunbiyi, Representatives of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Chairman and Head Human Resources, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Princess Bisi Mariam, Representatives of Director Drainage Maintenance, and Assistant Director, Engr. Yetunde Okanlawon and Representatives of Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services and Deputy Director, Sanitation Service Mrs. Omoyemi Balogun, during the One day sensitisation program on the Cleanliness of market and foods for market leaders in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State held on the 21st of July 2022, at Ifako-Ijaiye Local government hall, College road, Ogba, Lagos State.

    She appealed to market leaders in the Local Government to shun street trading and restrict all trading activities to the market, stressing that it is in the interest of all to respect the Lagos State and Local Government environmental laws.

    Participants at the Orientation programme include market Men and Women, Environmental Health Officers as well as local government officials.

    Lectures were delivered during the workshop on Food Hygiene, monitoring and Control, Waste Management, Water Security and quality, Drainage and flooding, and Pest and Diseases control in the market environment.

    SIGNED
    KUNLE ADESHINA
    DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MOE&WR

    21st JULY, 2022.

  • CLEANLINESS SHOULD BE EVERY RESIDENT’S WATCHWORD DURING SALLAH – TUNJI BELLO

    By

    ….Reiterates ban on Sale of Rams on Highways and Roads.

    As the Sallah celebration approaches, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources on Thursday called on residents to continue to make cleaniness and safety their watchword throughout the season

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, he urged Lagosians to respect the environment, be mindful of littering and dispose of animal waste properly during the festive period.

    He said all generated waste through slaughtering of rams and other animals as well as waste from food items must be properly disposed, through bagging and placement at designated points.

    He warned against dumping wastes generated from slaughtering of animals into drains, stating that such action will come back to haunt all residents through flooding.

    He added that sanitation workers and waste managers would all be on duty and have been mandated to work relentlessly across the State during this period.

    “ It is not unexpected that there will be an increase in generated waste during and after the Sallah, therefore our Sanitation Intervention Programme with the combined efforts of the Ministry of the Environment and Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is still on course to rid Lagos of indiscriminate refuse dumping” he assured.

    He said that the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu would continue to be in the fore front of the campaign for a healthy and cleaner environment, encouraging Lagosians to desist from acts that could have negative impacts on the environment.

    He reminded Lagosians that the Law against street trading was still in force, stressing that this includes display of rams on major highways, road medians, lay-byes, gardens and parks across the State.

    “While it is a usual act for some traders to take advantage of the season to display and sell rams, this must be done at designated markets without defacing the environment, affecting traffic or compromising the wellbeing of Lagosians”, he said.

    Bello while felicitating with all Muslims reminded all that as the rains are here urged Lagosians to guard against the outbreak of epidemics, by ensuring that wastes are handled in the most appropriate way without defacing the aesthetic of the state.

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director (Public Affairs)
    MOE &WR

    6th July, 2022

  • We are Committed to a Clean Environment – LAWMA Boss

    By

    …Appeals for waste containerization

    Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reassured residents of a firm commitment to a clean environment despite the challenge of diesel scarcity, while also appealing to them to bag and containerize their waste.

    The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, stated this on Friday while monitoring the environment, adding that efforts were being intensified, to clear any backlog of refuse, and to stop acts of indiscriminate waste disposal around the city.

    He said: “We have redoubled our efforts, working round the clock to ensure that we evacuate all waste anywhere around the city. Although the scarcity and high cost of diesel have been a major challenge, as all service providers’ trucks run on diesel, nonetheless, we are doing the needful and leaving no stone unturned, to maintain a clean environment and prevent health hazards to the people”.

    “Over preceding months, we have rolled out advocacy and media sensitization campaigns, to inform and educate residents on the importance of environmental cleanliness, particularly the act of waste containerization. We have also supported efforts of PSP operators, by providing backup services in areas that experienced service gaps, with the overall aim of eradicating black spots across the metropolis”.

    He appealed to residents to properly bag and containerize their waste to allow for more storage periods and prevent littering.

    According to him, “The resurgence of waste observed in some areas of the metropolis is borne out of the unforeseen diesel challenges the service providers are experiencing, and since tenements cannot keep waste in their houses, have resorted to bringing it to the highways, which isn’t proper.”

    “While we strongly reiterate the importance of waste containers at home, we passionately appeal and canvass for public cooperation, to combat a resurgence of waste on road medians, canals and other illegal spots.”

    “We are assuring Lagosians of our total commitment to rid the environment of dirt. As we work day and night to make this happen, we urge you to support our efforts because the cleanliness of the state is a collective responsibility”, he stressed.

    Odumboni noted further that despite the serious logistics challenges faced by PSP operators, as a result of the increase in the price of diesel, they had continued to provide services to tenements, adding that the Authority, in order to ensure effective turnaround time of waste collection trucks, had also ensured that landfills in the state are in proper shape.

    “Before now, we had carried out massive rehabilitation work across our various landfills, to improve the turnaround time of PSP trucks servicing tenements and commercial facilities in the state. This has improved the condition of the sites, paving way for seamless waste collection activities”, he stated.

    For inquiries and complaints about services of waste management-related issues in your area, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.

    Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)
    Director, Public Affairs
    24/06/2022

  • LAGOS PLANTS HISTORICAL TREES TO KICKSTART WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATION

    By

    2022 World Environment Day celebrations in Lagos kicked off on Thursday with planting of 10 historic breadfruit trees to ensure the sustenance of One planet earth.

    Speaking at the ceremony which took place at the St Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Breadfruit, Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Omobolaji Gaji said the task of regenerating the environment should not be left to the government alone.

    Highlighting the 2022 World Environment Day theme “Only One Earth” he said it is a campaign to ensure that the beautiful planet remains a comfortable home for humanity.

    He explained that this year’s celebration was a historic milestone for the global environmental community as it marks 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, widely seen as the first international meeting on the environment.

    He said the World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated in different ways all over the world and these includes planting of trees, cleaning up local beaches, organizing meetings, joining online protests amongst others.

    He said part of the activities lined up for this year’s celebration by the Ministry includes planting of historical breadfruit trees, an Environmental Awareness Walk, a submition of a petition for the support of the Environment to Lagos House of Assembly with a climax of the 2022 celebrations on Sunday.

    He said individuals and civil society are pivotal advocates, adding that the more people raise their voices and emphasize on what needs to be done, the faster change will come.

    He added that the World Environment Day programme is globally embraced to draw people’s attention to the significance of living sustainably with nature.

    Earlier in a goodwill message, the representative of the Education Secretary, Lagos Island Education District, Mr. Rasheed Fashanu commended the State Government for replanting the historical tree in the school as the area in times past was named after the tree because of the large concentration of Breadfruit trees in the area.

    He added that in the past students in the education district have always been encouraged to plant trees and the trees planted as a result are the ones being seen around now.

    The Director, Sanitation Services Department, Dr. Hassan Sanuth explained that trees planted were indigenous trees and synonymous to certain areas adding that in previous years other trees like Mango was planted at the Mangoro area of the state as well as the Coconut Tree planted at the Idi-Agbon Area in Ifako Ijaiye.

     

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director Public Affairs
    MOE &WR
    June 2, 2022

  • LAGOS TO STIMULATE ACTION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    By

    Joins global celebration of Biodiversity Day – 

    Lagos State on Monday emphasized its readiness to stimulate action for the conservation of biological diversity through awareness and enlightenment as it joined the global celebration of Biodiversity Day

    In a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, he added that the State will also consolidate on partnerships with reputable Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in this wide.

    Tunji Bello also said that biodiversity was an essential asset that must be sustainably managed, wisely utilized, and conserved for future generations.

    Highlighting the theme for the 2022 celebration “Building a shared future for all life” the Commissioner said the theme presupposes that nature must have a natural balance for the survival of all living and non-living things in the ecosystem.

    He described Biological Diversity as the variety of plants and animals that live in an ecosystem and highlighted the importance of biodiversity.

    “Biodiversity is the foundation upon which the natural ecosystem can build back better and massively scale up restoration effects that will breathe new life into our degraded ecosystems”, he stressed.

    He maintained that the 2022 theme aligns perfectly within the context of the ongoing United Nations Decade on Eco-Restoration which highlights that biodiversity is the answer to several challenges to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) especially, goal 14 (Life below Water) and goal 15 (Life on Land & Climate action).

    Bello said the greatest threats facing Biological Diversity today were numerous but pre-eminent amongst them were habitat destruction and over-exploitation adding that the quest by property developers to acquire land for housing projects has led to the wanton destruction of many wetlands and forest ecosystems.

    He said over-exploitation of wildlife was also a major contributor to the increasing decline in the population of several species of animals in the State at an alarming rate emphasizing that animals that are facing imminent threat of extinction were Pangolin, hooded vulture, sea turtle and manatee populations.

    The Commissioner said the State Government was aware of this development and has continuously taken various steps aimed at addressing them and has embarked on an Advocacy and Awareness Campaign on Wetlands Conservation to the three Senatorial Districts in the State.

    “Amongst these steps is the partnership with the Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI) and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on the conservation of the hooded vulture, pangolin, and Ekki tree population in the State; these partnerships will help protect critically endangered species from extinction and serve as a springboard for their sustained population in the wild,” he said.

    He warned people who engage in the illicit trade and sales of wildlife especially in the wet markets across Lagos state to desist as the Ministry will soon commence State-wide surveillance and enforcement to curb the menace.

    Bello appealed to the world to continue to establish new protected areas and improve their management and also take action that implements the convention of biological diversity.

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director (Public Affairs)
    MOE &WR

  • PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FLOODING OF IDUMAGBO & ENVIRONS WILL BE IN PLACE BEFORE YEAR END-LASG

    By

    As Env. Min convenes stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions

    The Lagos State Government over the weekend informed that a permanent solution to the issue of flooding in Idumagbo, Oroyinyin, Ojo Giwa, and environs in Lagos Island would be put in place before the end of the year, stressing that what presently obtains at the Ilubirin end is a temporary measure.

    Addressing stakeholders that included the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni at a meeting held at the Lagos Island Local Government Area, Lagos, on the issue of continuous floods experienced in the area, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello said the State government will provide a massive pumping station equipped with high capacity tanks.

    L-R: PIX : 6617,664,6647,6651 Managing Director/CEO, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Hon. Ibrahim Odunboni, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun and Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Mamood Adegbite Adegbite during a Stakeholders meeting on flooding abatement in Idumagbo and its environs over the weekend.

    He stressed that when fully functional, the pumping station will be fitted with 3 bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minute M3 capacity each with a 400KVA generator to power it and which have the capacity of pumping all the water that might have accumulated within an hour.

    He assured residents that what has been provided at the Ilubirin end, for now, is a temporary measure which takes a minimum of two days to pump water after every heavy rainfall, adding that a basin of about 6 meters depth is part of the features of the new pump station that is coming on stream.

    Bello told the audience that including leaders of Community Development Committees CDCs and Community Development Associations CDAS, market men and women that the major problem responsible for flooding is the depressing nature of the area which has made it difficult for water to naturally drain into the canals.

    He explained that the natural embarkment constructed at Ilubirin should not be seen as the cause of flooding but as an engineering solution that had prevented the lagoon from flowing back into the communities.

    He stressed that what was being experienced in Idumagbo and its environs is the effects of climate change as Lagos is one of the cities projected as one of the sinking cities in the world.

    He advised residents of Lagos Island to desist from dumping refuse into drains and canals, urging them to take ownership of the environment by moving against property developers who litter drains with building materials, preventing flowing drains.

    Speaking on the complaints of unavailability of pipe-borne water in Lagos island, he said the problem is receiving due attention through a complete overhaul of the pipe network and machinery of the Adiyan and Iju waterworks project.

    He said the necessary approvals have been given by Mr. Governor for the projects which also include the Onikan water scheme which would restore water supply to the Island and Mainland when completed.

    He added that all the pipe networks supplying all the residents which are already rusted and dilapidated will also be replaced to allow pipe-borne water to reach all homes very soon.

    The Commissioner directed LAWMA to collaborate with Lagos Island Local Government on the possibility of allowing the PSP operators to discharge refuse generated by tenements at the TLS located at Ebute Elefun before being trans-loaded to the Ojota dumpsite.

    In his address, the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Island 1, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni, appealed to residents to cooperate with the State Government as it is set to proffer a permanent solution to flooding in the area.

    He pledged to use his good office to ensure that adequate funds are allocated by the State House of Assembly for the successful provision of the permanent solution.

    He noted that Mr. Governor has already awarded the contracts for the construction of many roads in the area, giving a commitment that the Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to providing the dividends of democracy to residents.

    The Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Government Area, Hon. Muibi Alabi Folawiyo in his remarks said Lagos Island needs serious regeneration and construction of drainages in order to permanently curb the menace of flooding in the area.

    He also called for commitment and a greater sense of duty from PSP operators in Lagos Island, claiming that their level of service needs an improvement.

    Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde, who was represented by the Director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite advised the residents to form a committee of residents and groups to liaise and meet with the officials of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources once a month and feed the community back.

    He added that with the setting up of the committee, the government would have first-hand information to respond adequately when developers build on drainage alignments and houses channel their soak-away into drainages.

    Also in his remarks, the Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni said LAWMA is ready to provide a dumping site for PSP operators from the Island to deliver only wastes generated by residents and not commercial entities at the Transfer Loading Station at Ebute Elefun before being trans loaded to Ojota Dumpsite.

    He said PSP operators are working tirelessly in Lagos Island, stressing that 150 tonnes of waste are generated in the area daily, which amounts to 15 trucks.

    Signed

    Kunle Adeshina
    Director (Public Affairs)
    MOE &WR

  • WE MUST NOW TAKE ISSUES OF MITIGATION, ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE FINANCE MORE SERIOUSLY-LASG

    By

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reiterated that the time has come for all to take the issue of mitigation, adaptation and climate finance more seriously in the quest to tackle climate change.

    Speaking during a Climate Change Technical Committee meeting held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello said all ministerial departments and agencies must work collaboratively to achieve desired purposes.

    He added that the technical committee meeting is about fashioning out a position paper for the state as it develops strategies that would contribute to Lagos state emission reduction and improve air quality.

    Bello said Climate Change is real and the current warming trend is of particular significance because it is unequivocally the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and is proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over the years.

    He added that it is undeniable that human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land while the rapid change in the atmosphere and others have occurred.

    He stressed that the above scenario is true for Lagos State because from air pollution to waste management, transportation to energy, all the indices are not encouraging.

    The Commissioner stated further that Human activities that are not sustainable are constantly perpetrated thus increasing the State’s Emission profile stressing that, the State Government cannot afford to pay lip service to the fight against this devastating phenomenon.

    Quoting Rt Hon Alok Sharma, President of COP 26,“We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action”. This is a clarion call for us all to kick–start the process of putting Lagos on a sure-footing environmentally and climate-protected, he said.

    He said the socio-economic and infrastructural development must be done with climate change in mind adding that several studies have revealed that the State must vigorously pursue adaptation and mitigation projects to stop the tide of environmental pollution arising from the Business-as-Usual (BUA) syndrome.

    He reiterated that climate change cuts across thematic sectors which fall under everyone’s ministerial responsibilities and everyone must project their actions, activities, and programmes through a common platform via the secretariat for reportage.

    He explained that the committee which consists of Permanent Secretaries as well as Heads of Agencies is expected to bring to fore issues and concerns related to the impacts of climate change on human well-being and the Environment to the secretariat adding that the Ministries of the Environment and Water Resources and other Ministries should not be seen as competing with one another.

    The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Service, Omobolaji Gaji said it has become necessary to Mainstream the climate change projects and programmes into Lagos State developmental plans.

    He urged heads of MDAs to set up Climate Change Department in their various Ministries adding that it was important to encourage information sharing and synergy amongst MDAs saying this would encourage easy implementation of the Lagos Climate Action Plan.

    He said the time is now for all to close rank and allow prosperity to talk well of everyone’s efforts on issues on climate change as these efforts will shape the future moving towards the 2050 landmark.

    In his presentation, the Head Climate Change Department in the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Micheal Bankole highlighted that as at 2015 the total emission in Lagos State was estimated to be 26 million Gigatonnes of carbon-infused in the atmosphere saying stationery energy contributed 55%, Transportation 20%, while Waste Contributes 25%.

    He mentioned that the rise in the carbon emissions could be attributed to Rapid Population Growth, Sea-level Rise as well as increased Green House Gas(GHG) adding that these have caused infrastructural stress, flooding and the recent heatwave being experienced.

    He said the Climate Action Plan builds on earlier Climate Change strategies for Lagos State to deliver a package of measures that when fully implemented will set Lagos on a pathway towards Caron neutrality by 2050.

    This year’s Climate Change Technical Committee attended policy decision-makers from Government, members of the Academia and Non – Governmental Organizations as well as Civil Society Organisations.

     

    Signed

    Kunle Adeshina

    Director (Public Affairs) MOE &WR

    April 26, 2022