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Tag: clean

  • QNET seeks clean, safe water to boost productivity

    QNET seeks clean, safe water to boost productivity

    Global lifestyle and wellness company, QNET, has said pushed for clean, safe water for proper hydration for healthy living and boosting productivity in work place.

    It said water quality is very vital as inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to health risks.

    Chief Marketing Officer of QNET, Paul McHenry, said water quality is vital to good health. “Water is more than just a basic necessity; it’s the foundation of our health and well-being. In today’s world, where water quality can be compromised, it’s vital to ensure that what we consume is not only safe but beneficial for our bodies. Our goal at QNET is to provide a solution that not only purifies water but also enhances its health properties, supporting individuals in their journey towards better health and fulfillment of their personal goals.

     “As we navigate our resolutions, understanding the role of hydration in our daily lives is key. Ensuring access to clean, quality water might just be the step needed to maintain those New Year commitments,” he said.

    As we step into 2024, countless individuals worldwide have set new resolutions for the year. Yet, a startling statistic reveals that by February, about 80per cent of these resolutions fall by the wayside. Among the myriad reasons, one often overlooked yet crucial factor is hydration.

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    QNET said adequate hydration is not just about quenching thirst; it’s a cornerstone of health. Studies also have shown that staying well-hydrated aids in weight loss by enhancing satiety, boosts metabolism, and helps in reducing water retention. More than just aiding in weight management, proper hydration is essential for maintaining energy levels, improving physical performance, and sharpening cognitive functions.

    Take Janine from Wales, for example. Her resolution to exercise more was hindered by a lack of energy, a common issue that many face. “I always felt too tired for the gym, leading to a cycle of guilt and lethargy,” she shared. This scenario is not uncommon, and the quality of the water we drink plays a significant role.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks. Clean, safe water is therefore not just a luxury, but a necessity.

    In the realm of water purification, technologies like the HomePure Viva Water Ioniser and Filter have emerged. This device features a multi-stage filtration system and smart technology to reduce bacteria and viruses in water. It also includes a nine-plate water ionizer with platinum-coated titanium electrodes, adjusting water pH for various health benefits. These benefits range from immune support to improved mental function and better taste.

    Alkaline water, with its higher pH level, is known for its potential health benefits, including protecting cells from oxidative damage, and aiding in detoxification. The ionized water, rich in negatively charged hydroxide ions, is believed to enhance absorption, thereby improving hydration and gastrointestinal health.

    Janine noticed a significant change after using such a water filtration system. “My energy levels improved, and I finally found the motivation to return to the gym,” she said.

  • Lagos reiterates commitment to clean, safe markets

    Lagos reiterates commitment to clean, safe markets

    The Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to a clean and safe markets across the state.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs Muslim Folami, stated this at Alade Market, Somolu, during the flag off of the proper waste disposal sensitization tour of all  major markets in the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development  Areas (LCDA) of the state.

    He urged the traders to sell their wares only in their stalls and  desist from street trading and dumping of refuse on unauthorised spots as government will no longer tolerate filth.

    The team visited four markets in Somolu Local Government and Bariga LCDA.

    He urged the traders to use the stalls and kee-klamps allocated to them and stop trading on the streets, adding that government will no longer tolerate attitudes that deface the state.

    Folami gave the traders one month to occupy their stalls in the market or forfeit such stall. He also highlighted the dangers in street trading as this could  cause traffic gridlock and road accidents.

    He assured them that government will review the current price of the stalls to make it more affordable for traders.

    He further advised them on the proper disposal and evacuation of refuse from the markets, medians and walkways in the markets as indiscriminate dumping of refuse does not portray the true image of Lagos not only as a mega city but a smart city.

     

  • Lafarge Africa to bridge skills gap, embrace clean energy

    Lafarge Africa to bridge skills gap, embrace clean energy

    Cement manufacturing and building solutions firm, Lafarge Africa Plc, has said that its investment in the Cement Professionals Training Programme (CPTP) is aimed at training youths toward bridging skills gap in the cement  industry and increasing local content of her operations in the country. It is also aimed at forging strong ties with its host communities as well as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

    Lafarge’s Communication and States Relations Manager, Mrs Titilope Oguntuga, disclosed this at the weekend while receiving reporters at the firm’s 3. 5 million metric tonnes capacity Ewekoro plant in Ogun State.

    She explained that about 27 students drawn from the company’s area of operations are on a three- year training with the cement manufacturer. On completion, some of the successful trainees will be absolved into the company’s workforce, while the others will form a pool of skilled personnel needed in critical areas in the industry.

    One area the company says it is emphasising on in its production process is to ensure a viable socioeconomic and environmental development of the country. This, the Environment Manager, Ewekoro Plant, Mrs Olufunke Madojutimi, said, accounts for its commitment to using renewable energy to enhance sustainable development of the construction industry and protection of the environment.

    Explaining the company’s operations, the Plant Manager, Ewekoro Plants I and II, Mr Olusegun Soyoye, said the firm’s strategic plan was to conduct business with zero harm to people and the environment through developing solutions that optimised natural resources for power generation.

    This, he said, made the company to look into substituting its usage of fossil fuel with the use of renewable energy to generate electricity; it also helps its production process to mitigate disruptions arising from unstable power supply and gas shortage to the industrial sector.

    “We are using palm kernel shells to produce biomass that fuels our plant and 134 hectares of trees have been planted for this purpose,” he said.

    According to Soyoye, Lafarge  produces 90 megawatts (MW) of electricity to power its operations, with plans to increase this to 220 MW in future. When this is achieved, the country will benefit from a 30 MW to be injected into the national grid by the firm. This represents the excess from its requirement. It will however come at a cost to consumers.

    The planned injection to the national grid is in fulfilment of Lafarge’s Country Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michel Puchercows’ promise to support the country in solving her energy problem.

    “We realised last year that dollars was scarce and energy was scarce in Nigeria. So, the company reacted very strongly. Ogun State, being an agriculture hub as well, made it possible for us to produce 50 per cent power from biomass in 2016, which we can grow up to 70 or 80 per cent. We aim to roll out the scheme in other plants; in Cross River State, and in Ashaka, Gombe State,” he explained.

  • Scores walk for clean environment

    Scores of environment conscious people have commemorated this year World Environment Day in Kwara state by staging a walk in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    The walk which was organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Vicfold Recyclers in conjunction with the state ministry of environment kicked off at the popular Post Office area, went through Murtala Muhammed way and ended at the Ipata Market.

    Some of the participants wore hand gloves and picked refuse in gutters, putting them in nylon bags. They also urged shop owners along the highways on the need to keep their environment clean.

    Speaking with The Nation, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Vicfold Recyclers, Amusa T. Victor said his organisation was celebrating the day with such sensitisation.

    He lamented people’s awful approach to waste disposal and management generally in the country.

    He said, “Everybody does not like waste. People don’t want to see waste. People’s attitude to waste management and disposal has been terrible. That is why we are raising awareness on the involvement of all in waste disposal, as government alone cannot do all things. It all boils down to our attitude to our environment.

    “Members of the public are encouraged to take good care of their waste. There are better good values that can be given to waste. As they say, a man’s waste is another person’s treasure. We should appreciate our environment by keeping it clean always. We should make sure we don’t liter our environment with wastes and we should not block the drains. And then a big no to air pollution, people should stop burning waste as it does not do us any good.

    “I am advising that in commemoration of the world environment day, let there be an improvement of how people take care of their environment. It will do us a world of good. We are connecting to nature.”

    On the exercise, Mr. Victor added that “we are celebrating the World Environment Day today. We are all out to raise awareness about protecting our environment and getting people involved. That is why I am saying this is our planet and our home. Everyone needs to play his role.

    “Vicfold Recyclers is a social enterprise and what we do is to give value for waste. We actually give people reward in exchange for their waste. We collect waste especially solid waste in exchange for gift items like electronics and cash and even food items.”

  • ‘Keep your environment clean’

    In a bid to  ensure clean environment in Lagos, the Lagos Mainland Lion Club has erected four street sign posts “Clean Nigeria” in four Lagos communities.

    The programme brought together members of the club to the unveiling of the Clean Nigeria street sign in Alagomeji, Yaba, Abule Oja, and Jibowu Roundabout.

    Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the 2nd Vice-President of the Lion Club District Governor Dupe Dada said the erection of the sign post was to create awareness and advocacy on clean environment and sanitation.

    She said it was evident that parts of Lagos are dirty, a situation that portends dangerous health implications on the people if stakeholders refuse to play their part in making the state not only peaceful but also safe to live in.

    “We are committed to clean environment and we are working with the local governments and other relevant stakeholders in Lagos State to make it a reality”, she said.

    She noted that Lions Club is celebrating its Centennial and it is working on the common goal of serving 100 million people through our pro-people programmes.

  • ‘Keep your environment clean, sleep in treated nets’

    Nigerians have been  urged to maintain a clean environment and sleep under long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria.

    The Kantar Group of Companies, Nigeria Managing Director Aggrey Maposa gave the advice when his firm donated drugs, long-lasting treated nets and free counselling to two of its host communities – Ojodu Berger and Maryland – in Lagos State.

    He said his company chose malaria prevention as its theme to mark this year’s World Malaria Day.

    “Just as WHO is placing special focus on prevention, a critical strategy for reducing the burden of a disease that continues to kill more than 400, 000 people yearly nationally,” said Maposa.

    “That is why the residents of Ojodu Berger and Mende, Mary- land in Lagos have been beneficiaries of long-lasting insecticide treated nets, drugs, counselling, and health mission. It was part of the corporate responsibility (CSR) of the Kantar Group of Companies to mark this year’s World Malaria Day.

    “World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that worldwide, there were 655, 000 malaria deaths in 2010 with 91 percent of this in the African Region. Statistics in Nigeria shows an average of 71 percent of the population is at risk. This is an enormous figure and all well-meaning individuals and organisations must join hands to end this, as it reduces population and in terms of loss of lives and productive man-hour,” Maposa explained.

    Maposa said though it wasn’t the first time the company would be doing such corporate social responsibility (CSR) but that the focus on malaria is to ensure the residents in the communities so as to reduce the World Health Organisation’s rate in this region.

    Maposa said CSR initiatives by the Kantar were visit to Modupe Cole Orphanges in Akoka to mark its 30th Anniversary in business, malaria awareness walk and donation of nets to hospitals.

    To mark the company’s first day, kids at Dustbin Village, Bariga were given gifts and offered over 20 children scholarships, provided employments within host communities and providing intellectual development to tertiary institutions and working with UNICEF across the world on many other developmental initiatives.

    Michael Umogun said though  residents were attended to, the focus was on expectant mothers, children of nursing mothers and children under five years,

    “Rotary Club of Amuwo in District 9110 and Non-such Health Management Organisation, KICC and Church of the Latter Day Saints supported Kantar.”

  • ‘Let your environment be clean’

    ‘Let your environment be clean’

    Multipro Enterprises Limited, makers of Hypo Bleach, in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of the Environment have called on Nigerians to maintain a clean and healthy environment to prevent diseases and promote personal hygiene.

    The call was made while celebrating this year’s World Health Day at Evans Square, Simpson Street, Ebutte Metta Lagos.

    The Assistant Director of Health Education Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs Olubunmi Ilawole, who participated in the community sanitation exercise, stressed the need for a cleaner environment.

    She said: “Environment is for the people and it is either clean or dirty due to the number of people that live in such environment. The more people we have in an environment, the dirtier it gets if they don’t clean their environment.

    “In effect, more people will generate more refuse and this is why we have come to sensitise members of the community to the need to consistently keep their environment clean, empty their garbage bins when vehicles of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) come. They should also keep their drainage systems flowing.

    “But we are not just carrying out mere sensitisation. As you can see ambassadors of hypo, we are calling on them to take positive action so that our environment will be clean. So, let us get up and clean it”

    Mrs. Ilawole, however, revealed what the Lagos State Ministry of Health is doing to keep a hygienic environment.

    “We have health educators and environmental officials all over the place and they move around.

    “There are sanctions put in place for people who refuse to clean their environment,” she said.

    Mrs. Tolu Adeyo, who also represented the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Waste Management Division, said: “The ministry is partnering with the makers of hypo through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) to take ownership of their environments, we have a new law that encourages people that they should take ownership of their immediate surroundings and make sure they are always clean. This is what the laws say because the cleanliness of their surroundings is very critical to their own health.”

    According to the team, Hypo teamed up with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of the Environment to sensitise the public to household and environment hygiene.

    Tagged: “Hypo Team Up to Clean Up” with the hashtag #teamuptocleanup, the campaign which was championed by ace radio presenter, Omotunde Adebowale (Lolo 1 of Wazobia 95.1 FM) narrowed down to Simpson Street and the adjoining streets in the Ebutte Meta area of Lagos as host site for the clean-up exercise following an extensive reach of various communities in Lagos.

    The Brand Manager, Hypo Jadesola Surakat, said the campaign which is in its second season, was aimed at fulfilling the corporate responsibility Hypo has towards the society and repositioning the brand from the perceived state of just a whitening agent to a total hygiene solution.

    “Being the leading brand in the category of household cleaning, we recognise our responsibility to the society and therefore deemed it right to make contributions for the betterment of the society.

    “Hypo has become a household brand and there are no better ways to give back than this initiative of influencing a positive behaviour for hygiene by engaging residents of communities. This is a collaborative effort and requires a teaming up with the relevant stakeholders such as influencers and government agencies and parastatals,” she explained.

  • That Lagos may be clean

    One striking feature of a capital city in any developed country is cleanliness. Most of the capital cities are very clean and this announces to visitors that they are in a capital city. No heap of refuse, no abandoned broken down vehicles, no abandoned bloated dead bodies on the road and no suicide beggars competing with moving vehicles and almost threatening to harm a motorist who fails to give out alms.

    Unfortunately, this could not be said of Lagos which used to be the nation’s capital and which remains the capital of Lagos State that international visitors must see on arrival in Nigeria after landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    Other international capital cities such as London, Washington, Oslo, Dublin, Paris etc. are a beauty to behold because of their sparkling clean environment. The question then remains, how did these capital cities attain their cleanliness? The answer is simply that governments in those countries pay attention to personal hygiene and have a very effective waste disposal system right from individual households.

    While the efforts of the past and present administrations in Lagos State to keep Lagos clean in accordance with internal best practices in waste disposal should not be lost, much still needed to be done to attain the level of cleanliness as obtained in other developed capital cities across the world. There is no gain saying the fact that the Ambode administration in Lagos State has made giant strides in achieving the Lagos of our dream, in terms of a cleaner megacity that is not only environmentally clean, but a commercial hub that offers prosperity to everyone. It is in this sense that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was established as an extensive and sustainable waste management system for Lagos.

    This new waste management regime, (CLI) will create about 45,000 new jobs. The new waste management policy apart from creating the enabling environment for the private sector to harness international best practices, will also address the existing challenges in solid waste management in the state. The CLI will engage about 25,000 community sanitation workers who will work as street sweepers and they will reside in their wards so that they won’t have to spend so much money on transport to and from work.

    Besides, they will be well-trained with an attractive welfare package. The sanitation workers will be well-kitted with decent uniforms, gloves, boots, pickers, brushes, carts as well as mobile phones with which to communicate with the control centre and they will be well remunerated. This is no doubt a mass employment scheme that would take many unemployed youths off the street and with the propensity to generate additional indirect 500,000 jobs from its value chain. This will also be a boost on the economy of Lagos State.

    CLI is well tailored towards maximizing the state’s potential in solid waste management that would provide permanent solution to waste recycling, recovery and waste reduction challenges that have dimmed the shine of the state for decades, and offer innovative approach to liquid waste management, drainage management and waste water treatment in the State.

    It is therefore obvious that this new sanitation policy if properly executed, will most likely achieve in one year, what the cancelled monthly environmental sanitation could not achieve in the last 30 years. The new sanitation workers will take cleaning as a serious business such that residents would only take care of their abodes and surroundings as a complementary service. It is going to be a departure from the cancelled monthly environmental sanitation which many Lagosians saw as forced labour.

    The Cleaner Lagos Initiative scheme was informed by the need to correct the flaws in existing waste management system and to introduce modern technology into the management of solid waste. A new law to back the current waste management regime is in the offing and this will allow big time players in the waste management sector to do business with the government.

    Residents will still pay what they are paying presently to Private Sector Partnership (PSP) on waste management with the new name of (Public Utility Levy) part of which goes into an Environment Trust Fund.  The difference is that they will get more value for their money in terms of effective waste management system that would ensure government’s objective of a cleaner Lagos. The scope of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) shall be expanded to enable it enforce, regulate and generate revenue from the waste management process while the new policy will protect the environment, human health and social living standards of Lagos residents.

    Also, the need for the new initiative is a confirmation that the current waste management system has failed due to many obstacles which goes to show that it is high time the government re-strategised to ensure a cleaner Lagos which make the new environmental sanitation policy a welcome idea.

    The new sanitation policy will address the current problem of irregular waste collection which leads to irregular and poor payments, bin placement, transfer loading stations, and other supporting infrastructure that have been ignored while undue attention has been placed on waste collection only. In addition, LAWMA in its role as regulator/operator is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of having to coordinate the activities of 350 individual companies and still carry out its own collection services. The billing system is unduly complicated due to the differences and inconsistencies in charges and collection routes, therefore leaving the billing system open to manipulation and fraud while many individual operators have failed to fulfil their obligations on the trucks.

    One cheering news is that the current poor waste management situation shall be addressed holistically using modern technology. For example,  apart from the transformation of the existing Transfer Loading Station (TLS) and the introduction of no less than 25 Material Revolving Facility (MRF) where wastes will be sorted, 600 new compactor vehicles will be acquired, and waste dumpsites will be closed and replaced with engineered sanitary landfill sites.

    The planned shutdown of dumpsites such as the Ojota and Solus dumpsites which has become an eyesore and a threat to health of residents of those areas is a big relief. Dumpsites are dangerous to health and the environment. The leachate and gas to be recovered from the proposed sanitary landfills will be put to good use.

    In the plan, Olusosun dumpsite will be regenerated and turned into a park, where intercity buses will end their journey and would no longer be allowed to enter into the city. Passengers will from there take taxis and intra-city buses to their destinations in town. Emphasis will henceforth be on zero-dumping, recycling and generation of power from wastes. To achieve this, government will carry out a re-certification of all the 350 PSP operators, re-license them and audit the state of their compactors and there will be a control room where the tracked compactors shall be monitored.

    It also pertinent at this juncture to allay the fears of the present PSP operators that government has no intention of sending them away, but will only re-certify their vehicles and make them comply with the new rules and regulation towards ensuring cleaner Lagos befitting the status of a mega city. This should be supported by all without prejudice.

    The restructuring will benefit PSPs because the new environmental policies and laws will not only protect the citizens and the environment, but all waste management operators who painstakingly invest their resources into helping with the clean-up of Lagos.

    The investment in the waste management will ensure that all commercial entities have a valid contract with a registered operator; these contracts will prove to be a valuable component for any serious-minded operator with sustainable plans for growth.

    The restructuring will make new provisions that protect the interests of existing investments by requiring all commercial entities to have a valid and enforceable contract with a registered operator.

    It is also heart-warming to know that five new power stations, one in each division in the state, will be built to generate power from wastes, and the numerous dumpsites dotting parts of the state will soon be a thing of the past.

    Going by what the Ambode administration has done so far since its assumption of office over a year ago, Lagosians have confidence in the ability of the government to deliver on promises like it did in a couple of other areas like infrastructure and security. If Lagos must truly attain its status of a mega city, it must be as clean as any of the capital cities earlier mentioned and that is why the Clean Lagos Initiative is the appropriate Special Purpose Vehicle towards achieving this. Let all stakeholders support this bold move. Lagos must be clean!

     

    • Akintunde, a policy analyst wrote from Karimu, Surulere, Lagos.

     

  • Making Lagos environment clean

    Making Lagos environment clean

    Globally, the preservation of the environment is garnering more attention, especially with the reality of the effects of climate change. In Lagos State, the ‘Mega City’ status has further put pressure on the government to take extra measures to ensure that the environment remains safe for human habitation. This is why the state is investing heavily in environmentally-friendly projects to ensure its continued existence and survival of her citizens. But how far can these efforts go? MUYIWA LUCAS asks .

    The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, is a self-effacing man. But given the quantum of the task, Adejare has had to push aggresively in the efforts to secure both the environment and the citizens.

    “Let us not deceive ourselves. Our state is over 25 million in population. This presupposes that we cannot continue to fold our arms and watch things go wrong in our environment.That is why this present administration is investing heavily in environmentally friendly projects that can make our people safe,” Adejare said last Monday at his monthly interaction with the media.

    According to the Commissioner, in the last two months, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration has pursued with vigour its policy on cleaner and sustainable environment through dogged application of its all-year round de-flooding programme, unwavering commitment to the removal of all environmental infractions and nuisances across the state and steady pursuit of an aesthetically appealing state.

     

    Water provision

    According to a report by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, entitled, “Lagos Water Crisis: Alternative Roadmap for Efficient Water Sector,” the State’s Water Supply Master plan puts the daily water demand in the state at 540 million gallons per day (MGD), while production by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) stands at 210 MGD. The report however noted that the LSWC website put total production capacity at 163 MGD. By 2020, it noted, water demand is expected to reach 733 MGD in the state.

    Adejare explained that the administration is aware of the water situation in the state. To this end, he said the state has embarked on the construction of more water plants, such as the Adiyan II. Besides, he said  State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the construction of the Odomola II water plant, which on completion will serve Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and environs.  The project will be handled by Messers Bryo Nigeria Limited.

    Indeed, the Commissioner boasts that water supply  is being given a new lease of life as most of the state’s waterworks, such as Ishasi, Adiyan and Iju produce and supply uninterrupted water to Lagosians upon the repairs of equipment and restoration of power supply. And to find lasting solution to billing problems, the LSWC carried out and completed the verification  of its customers at Ikeja I and Ikeja II. While the result of this exercise is being awaited, it will soon be extended to other parts of Lagos metropolis.

     

    Huge Cost / PPP

    Although he declined to disclose the cost of the Odomola project, Adejare, however, revealed that the Adiyan II water project, which was initially estimated to cost N54 billion, has jumped to over N60 billion due to the foreign exchange rate.

    At N60 billion, Adejare further explained, it becomes rather burdensome for the state to shoulder the financing alone. This is why the state is partnering with private concerns to execute water plant projects across the state.

    “We are not privatising the LSWC, notwithstanding that there are challenges. The private concerns that have partnered with us will charge moderate fees for their services which will not inconvenience the citizens. At present, we charge five kobo per litre of water and this is not even sustainable. At this rate, the LSWC cannot even generate enough to pay its own salaries,” Adejare explained, stressing that if the government did not seek private partnerships for its water plants, the entire budget would be spent on such alone. He is right considering that the Adiyan II water plant, which is not even enough to sustain one-third of the population, is costing about 10 per cent of the state’s budget.

     

    Waste management

    Adejare revealed a greater plan for waste management and control in the state. For instance, he said the state is now redefining solid waste management, which will ensure that such wastes are bailed and sold, leading to extra revenue for the state. The Commissioner pointed out that waste management would take a new dimension in the state as from 2017. “We are reforming waste management; we are no longer going to do it the way we are used to. By the time we do this, environmental infractions would have reduced,” he assured.

    Besides, he said that in line with the ministry’s mandate on waste water management, the scheduled maintenance of government-owned Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) which are Abesan Low Cost Housing Estate; Oke-Afa Low Cost Housing Estate; Iponri Low Cost housing Estate; and the Secretariat, Alausa have been done.

    Besides, a total of 224 wastewater haulage trucks have been registered, while three septage discharge points – Oregun, Ojota and Amuwo-Odofin, have been registered for  the yearly monitoring of activities.

     

    Waste statistics

    A breakdown of the volume of waste evacuated in the Central, Western and Eastern parts of the state as at last September, stood at 12,303.50; 8,811.50; and 18,375.50. Similarly, the statistics of refuse deposited at various landfill sites last September (in Metric Tons), are: Olushosun – 150,307.00; Solous III – 30,134.20; Ewu Elepe – 11,180.00; Epe – 9.970; Simpson Transfer Loading Station (TLS) – 7,183.00; and Agege TLS – 2,016.90. Oshodi TLS is undergoing repairs and maintenance.

    Also, the Commissioner disclosed that 351 PSP Operators serviced 367 wards in 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state during the period under review. Besides, he revealed that 460, 523 recyclable materials were collected from the buy-back centre and recycling banks. The breakdown is as follows: 103,684 Cartons; 46,949 Cans; 184,714 Pet Bottles; 1,284 Bottles; 108,316 LDPE sachets; and 15,576 Paper.

    Through the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), the state engaged a total of 60 ad-hoc staff to clean 13 major water bodies in the state, while a total of 333 Service Providers with 5,500 employees (Street Sweepers) were supervised during the month for highway sanitation.

    Others

    While re-stating the policy of the state government on cleaner and sustainable environment, the commissioner said government was committed to the removal of all environmental infractions and would not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state to enhance aesthetically beautiful state.  Adejare said the commitment of the government to greening the environment, saying over 800 trees, including 700 coconuts have been planted along Lekki Epe Expressway and another 100 trees at Orile Agege LCDA.

    The Environment Commissioner said that government is poised to control and eradicate diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria through the kicking off of the vector control programme.

    “To control vector-borne diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria, we have flagged off the vector control programme through which we will be delivering effective “deratisation” of markets and adjoining streets in the state with the use of time tested technology,” he said.

    Adejare said the Department of Drainage Services, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs and the Drain Ducks have been working round the clock to keep most of the state’s drainage channels flowing. Consequently, collectors and channels have been cleared, seven new ones constructed and reconstructed, while six channels were desilted. He maintained that the “Operation Clean Lagos,” otherwise known as “IBILE”, covering the five divisions of the state, is a manifestation of the fact that the state’s administration will not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state.

    Given the above efforts, it may well be a new dawn for Lagos environment. But time will tell.

  • Residents sensitised to clean environment

    Residents sensitised to clean environment

    The Sole Administrator of Lagos Inland East Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Mr. Bashiri Abiola Are has said one of the priorities of his administration is ensuring that residents’ well-being is guaranteed.

    This, he said, would be through making sure that the environment is safe and healthy.

    According to him, the council is making frantic effort toward securing the environment.

    He stated this while sensitising residents to the importance of maintaining clean environment through participation in the weekly and monthly sanitation exercises which he and some council officials monitored at Okesuna, Pike Street and their environs.

    Mr. Are, who said strict enforcement of Lagos and council’s environmental laws, would go a long way in keeping Lagos Inland East LCDA in particular and Lagos State in general clean. He expressed his dissatisfaction over nonchalant attitude of some members of the council towards the environment. He said incessant dumping of garbage close to residential areas is inimical to people’s heath.

    At Pike Street off Okesuna Street, Mr Are described it as an eyesore, even as he advised the leaders of the area to ensure that residents keep their surroundings clean at all times. He also urged sanitary inspectors to make sure that residents stopped dumping garbage in drainage systems to avoid epidemic.

    He said: “Our team will continue to let our people know the danger of living in dirty environment. Some of these vehicles have not been driven for over six months or more. We need to inform owners of the abandoned vehicles to remove them. If they fail to comply, then we would do something about it quickly.”

    On youths playing football on the road, Mr Are reminded parents and community leaders of the need to talk to their kids about the importance of environmental sanitation.

    The council chief expressed dismay over some residents’ non-compliance with proper waste disposal system, frowning at indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channels by some residents which, he said, would have devastating effects on the environment and residents’ health.

    He revealed that the council’s vehicles would help in evacuating domestic wastes from individuals’ homes and also work towards making residents of various communities to maintain clean environment.

    Corroborating Mr Are’s views, the Chairman of Community Development Associations (CDAs) Lafiaji North West (CDA), Chief Magaji Fatayi said in their monthly stakeholders’ meeting, they would continue to appeal to residents to maintain clean environment. On the abandoned vehicles, he said they would persuade the owners to remove them.

    Responding on behalf of the residents, Mr. Mufutau  Abdulsalami thanked the council for the sensitisation exercise.

    The Head of Environmental Services and Waste Management Department, Mr. Babasanya Ayosanya said efforts are being made to sensitise residents to the need to clean their surroundings every day and not necessarily waiting for the routine sanitation days.