• LASG ALLAYS FEAR OF RESIDENTS OVER FLOODING IN IDUMAGBO & ENVIRONS

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    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday allayed fears of Idumagbo and environs on the incessant flood occasioned by the low lying nature of the area and the rising sea level, assuring that necessary measures including the pumping of water from the depressed areas are ongoing and will effectively manage the flooding.

    Addressing protesters who converged at Illubirin in Lagos Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello explained that the whole affected area is depressed as such water cannot flow into the drains naturally.

    He stated that a permanent solution which will involve the provision of 3 bigger pumps of 3000m cube per minute M3 is already underway as well as a reconstruction of the drainage outlet.

    “Each one of those pumps will need a generator with a capacity of 400KVA and will be provided to power each of the pumps”, he added.

    Responding to the request for demolition of the natural embankment used to prevent the ingress of water from the lagoon, the Commissioner who was represented by the director of Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, ENGR Mahmoud Adegbite extended an invitation to representatives of the protesters to the Office at Alausa on Wednesday for further explanations on the need for the embankment.

    He added that the embarkment was necessary to prevent water from coming in from the lagoon.

    Bello stated that Climate change was part of what is being experienced and it is happening all over the world, adding that some cities have not recovered from its effects.

    According to him, Lagos is part of the sinking cities, but the government will never fold their arms and let the untoward happen, adding that Lagos Island is a low-lying area which explains the convergence of water.

    He added that as a follow-up to the meeting with representatives of the protesters on Wednesday, officials of the ministry will also visit Ilubirin on Saturday with residents to have a first-hand experience of the level of the water.

    Earlier, the spokesperson for the protesters, Mr. Mukadass Maja, while speaking, said their demand for a lasting solution is to pull down the embankment that prevents the ingress of water from the lagoon, to allow free flow of water.

    He said many of the streets, shops, mosques, churches, police stations, and schools in the areas are seriously flooded and is affecting the economy of the areas.

    Some of the affected areas include Ojo Giwa, Jankara, Idu Garan, Okoya amongst others and some affected schools include King Ado High School and St. Patrick Primary school.

    Signed
    Kunle Adeshina
    Director Public Affairs
    MOE &WR
    April 26, 2022

  • 2022 LAGOS GREEN AWARD – CALL FOR NOMINATION

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    MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT, LAGOS GREEN AWARD – CALL FOR NOMINATION

    World Environment Day (WED) celebrated on the 5th of June every year, is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. First held in 1973, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, global warming, sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. WED has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually. Each year, WED raises a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and celebrities worldwide adopt to advocate environmental causes.

    LAGOS GREEN AWARD

    Over the years, various individuals and corporate organisations have continued to contribute to the process of making the environment better. Most of these individuals and corporate organisations are often not noticed or recognised for their contributions to the environment. In view of this, the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of the environment and Water Resources  has instituted an environmental award tagged ‘’Lagos Green Award’’. The Lagos Green Award is designed to recognised individual and corporate organisation who have contributed to making the Lagos Environment better.

    Lagos Green Award will recognize individuals, groups or businesses whose actions improved environmental resilience in the city of Lagos in the areas of:

    • Environmental Management
    • Best Environmental Practices
    • Oil Spill Management
    • Health, Safety & Environmental Performance
    • Waste Prevention & Recycling
    • Solid Waste Treatment & Disposal
    • Emissions Control Technologies
    • Natural Resources Conservation
    • Innovation and Sustainable Solutions

    This level of recognition is competition based,  participating units will be assessed against separate sets of environmental performance criteria which may encompass some of those used in the assessment of the various sectors.

    The number of awardees will be limited to one Gold Award, one Silver Award, one Bronze Award for each sector. The sectors are:

    (a) Construction Industry;

    (b) Property Management;

    (c) Transport and Logistics;

    (d) Retailers;

    (e) Hotels, Restaurants and Catering Companies;

    (f) Financial Institutions; and

    (g) NGOs and Public sector

    (H) Industry

    (I) Media

    Entries must clearly identify an environment initiative and how it had, or continues to have, an impact on Lagos State.

    Entries could be submitted to:

    The Permanent Secretary,

    Office of Environmental Service,

    Ministry of the environment,

    Block 16, The Secretariat Annex, Alausa,

    Ikeja, Lagos

    Alternatively, you can email: lagosstateministryoftheenviron@gmail.com, alasisi@lagosstate.gov.ng, temitope.bello@lagosstate.gov.ng

    Closing date for entries is May 20, 2022.

     

  • SANWO-OLU URGES STAKEHOLDERS TO JOIN EFFORTS TO MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE

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    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday called on stakeholders, environmentalists, and young persons to join in the effort to make the environment and the world green, habitable, and safe.
    The Governor who spoke through the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello at the “Launch of the trees from Art in Lagos State” held at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Lagos said the Government cannot achieve these all alone.
    He said it is necessary for everyone to brainstorm on the ways the effects of climate change can be mitigated and ensure the environment is clean, green, and free of harmful toxins.
    According to him, in the words of Bill Gates, “climate change is a terrible problem and absolutely needs to be solved” adding that “While we cannot and should not continue to fold our hands and watch our societies deteriorate as a result of climate change, we should take time to acknowledge those taking deliberate actions to sensitize us and proffer solutions to this challenge”.

    He said the Government has been giving attention to initiatives, programmes and policies that will protect the environment and also reduce the impact of climate change in the State, Country and the world at large.

    He added that globally, climate change is leading to more unprecedented weather patterns, an instance of which can be seen in the now somewhat repetitive Sahara Dessert Snowfall.

    Sanwo- Olu said everyone cannot continue to ignore or deny the harsh realities climate change is having on the environment, weather, agricultural sector, and all other spheres of life because the effects are obvious and visible to all.

    He stated that each year, the government keep seeing different testaments that prove it needs to do more to address climate change added that since 2008, the State have observed July 24 as Tree Planting day in Lagos.

    He explained that through this initiative, millions of trees have been planted and increasing number of the people are being enlightened on the need to embrace the culture of tree planting for a sustainable and healthy environment.

    He stressed that the Government have also been actively ensuring that all drainage channels are cleared to ensure free flow of water to reduce flooding and its devastating effects.

    ” I am particularly thrilled with this “Trees from Art in Lagos State” Initiative because it is in sync with the Naija Climate Now pian to support Climate Change Adaptation, Green Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Education in Nigeria” he said.

    He said this initiative will also begin with Climate Education and Planting of 100,000 trees in secondary schools.

    The Governor expressed appreciation to Solution17 for Climate Action and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria for partnering with Lagos State to launch this initiative and also acknowledge the efforts of the founder of Nike Art Gallery, Nike Davies-Okundaye and other personalities in the art and green energy space.

    He said this will be a perfect opportunity to get the young adults take action and responsibility for the environment while helping to restore green life quality in school communities and reduce the effects of climate change in the society.
    He added that the initiative is aimed at mobilizing young people as it will nurture them to care better for the environment, while preparing them as green. innovators, creators and technologists for climate change.

    Signed

    Kunle Adeshina
    Director (Public Affairs)
    MOE &WR
    April 7, 2022