Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), and the state’s Ministry of the Environment, have paid a field visit to Polysmart, a wholly indigenous multimillion-dollar plastic recycling facility, located in Aiyetoro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to explore areas of partnership, towards solving plastic pollution challenge in the state and across the country.

The firm, which began production in 2021, is into complete recycling of used plastic bottles, from collection to the production of six million food-grade pet bottles on a daily basis.

Speaking during the facility tour of the factory, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the establishment of that firm was a dream come through, in actualization of the uncommon diligence and determination of the management team of the firm.

He said,” This is a strong indicator that LAWMA is making all best possible efforts at ensuring plastic pollution is tackled in the state and here we are with Polysmart. I could remember vividly the day I met with the MD and we discussed the possibility of having a collection system for solid waste. I must commend you and your team for your resilience”.

“In a state where we have about 12 million of used plastic, if Polysmart collects 7 million on a daily basis, gradually, plastic pollution will go off and we will have a plastic-free environment. That is why LAWMA is advocating the two-bin system for the collection of waste and sorting of recyclables”, he stressed.

Odumboni however challenged the firm to work with LAWMA Academy, to boost knowledge of waste management among the children and youth in the state.

Also Speaking, the permanent secretary of the Office of Environmental Services of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, expressed delight in the company’s initiative, stressing that the emergence of Polysmart will no doubt help the ministry and LAWMA to provide a lasting solution to plastic pollution epidemic in Lagos State.

In his words, ” This is a testament that some people still believe so much in Nigeria and to see this coming from a Nigerian, it is a great motivation. From all that has been said and seen, it is obvious that this will curb the deposition of plastics in our drainage channels and the environment. It will serve as a source of income as well as employment for people, who will be involved in the sorting and collection process.

While pledging his support to the company, Gaji also promised that the Lagos State government will work with other stakeholders to support the company’s vision.

The Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Wasiu Balogun, who conducted the visitors around the facility, noted that the firm was established with the primary aim of solving the plastic mess and for employment generation.

He disclosed that the facility, which is the first of its kind in Africa, would have a daily requirement of about 7 million used bottles, for the non-stop running of the plant, which he disclosed, was wholly coupled by Nigerian engineers and technicians, without foreign assistance.

Balogun promised total cooperation with LAWMA and the state government, to increase the cost per kilogram of used plastic, harvested by households in the state and beyond.

The field visit involved the entire LAWMA management team, including the executive director of finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

As Lagosians celebrate the Eid-il-Fitr festival, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has appealed to residents to shun indiscriminate waste disposal, reiterating its commitment to ensuring a clean and healthy environment during and after the festive season.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, in a press statement, noted that waste management was an essential service that must be provided for the well-being of the people and the environment.

He assured residents that LAWMA was prepared to handle the expected increase in waste generation during the festive season, urging them to properly bag their waste and put them in covered bins, to avoid loose waste on the road median and setbacks.

The LAWMA helmsman stated that PSP operators had been directed to discharge their duties effectively with the agency offering backup services to fill in any gaps.

“We understand that there will be an increase in waste generation during the festive season, but we want to assure Lagosians that LAWMA is prepared to handle it. We have intensified our waste management efforts and are providing backup trucks for our PSP operators to ensure that waste is promptly collected and disposed of,” he said.

Odumboni also implored residents to refrain from activities that could damage the environment and endanger the lives of people, but to support efforts of LAWMA to make the metropolis livable for all.

He said, “We want to appeal to residents to desist from acts capable of making life miserable for the environment and its inhabitants. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys a clean and healthy environment during and after the Eid-il-Fitr celebrations.”

Odumboni wished all residents a joyful and clean Eid-il-Fitr celebration, while encouraging them to call LAWMA’s toll-free lines: 07080601020 and 617, for inquiries on waste management in their areas during and after the festive season.

…Celebrate World Water Day 2023

Rashidat Olushola Okunlade Writes

Nestlé Nigeria and Ogun State Ministry of Environment hosted a stakeholders’ forum on 22nd March to commemorate World Water Day 2023. Aimed at promoting sustainable water stewardship practices, the forum had over 400 stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors across Ogun State.

World Water Day is a United Nations’ observance day to raise awareness about the inaccessibility of water for billions of people globally and to advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Without access to water resources, communities are faced with higher risk of disease, food insecurity, environmental degradation, and
economic decline.

The theme for this year’s event, “Accelerating Change”, draws attention to the need for fast-tracking actions to solve the global water and sanitation crisis.

Oladimeji Oresanya, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, said, “The event today is not just another talk show, but an opportunity for productive engagement with all stakeholders to undertake a critical diagnosis of issues affecting the sector to proffer practical and sustainable solutions. Be assured that the Ministry is committed to accelerating positive change in the water sector to ensure water and sanitation for all in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6. I commend companies that have embraced water stewardship and are executing initiatives and projects, towards sustainable water management and governance in
the state”.

Wassim Elhusseini, MD/CEO Nestlé Nigeria PLC, represented by Category and Marketing Manager Nestlé Waters, Joy Abdullahi-Johnson, said, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate World Water Day 2023 in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment. The theme for this year, “Accelerating Change” is very
significant in view of our shared commitment to increase access to clean, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (WASH) within our communities. Nestlé Nigeria is committed to protecting the environment for future generations and caring for water is one of the ways we do this. In line with this commitment, we work together with key
stakeholders to address shared watershed challenges. We also continuously improve water efficiency across our operations and reduce water withdrawals in our factories by managing and reusing water”.

Left-Right: Hon. Ayoola Oluajo, Vice Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government; Mrs. Joy Abdullahi-Johnson, Marketing and Category Manager, Nestlé Waters; Engr. Razak Ojetola, Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Environment; Otunba Olufemi Odumosu, Managing Director, Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority and Dr Oladimeji Oresanya, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment.

Delivering the keynote lecture, the Managing Director, Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Otunba Olufemi Odumosu said, “Water is essential to life, but water stress threatens supplies. Providing access to safe water is one of the most effective instruments for poverty alleviation and reduction. This year’s theme emphasizes the need to speed up action towards sustainable management of this limited resource, with only 7 years left to achieve the SDGs”.

According to Sola Ogunbor, the Program Manager, Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, “Mismanagement of water resources today will cost everyone a lot more in the future. Accelerating change entails making a difference by taking small steps in the right direction, being the change we want to see in the world. Our Agency is committed to ensuring that more people in our rural communities in Ogun State have unrestricted access to safely managed water and sanitation facilities”.

The World Water Day 2023 celebration included the second edition of the roundtable discourse on “Water Governance in Ogun State – Progress so far, Challenges and Roadmap”. Panelists from the private and public sectors in Agbara and Sagamu comprised Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Apple, and Pears, Ogun State Ministry of Environment,
Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Ogun Oshun River Basin Development Authority, and the Nigerian Institute of Water Engineers.

Water is a shared and precious resource that affects everyone. It is the most critical natural resource for human survival, after the air. Yet, globally, billions of people do not have access to clean and safe water. An estimated 100 million Nigerians still lack basic sanitation facilities and 63 million do not have access to improved sources of drinking water.

With the increasing pressure on our water resources, we all need to work together to preserve this vital resource we all depend on. Consistent multi-stakeholder action is required to accelerate change in how we manage this resource to improve access and quality for today while preserving it for future generations.