The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dr. Babatunde Adejare

  • Lagos launches waste full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal

    Lagos launches waste full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal

    The Lagos State Government has launched a full-scale war on indiscriminate disposal of waste by warning that anyone caught violating environmental laws within the state will face the full wrath of the law.

    The state’s Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, made the declaration at an interactive session with media men in Lagos during the week.

    Adejare spoke against the backdrop of the worsening situation where some Lagos residents have formed the habit of dumping waste at illegal spots, thereby sabotaging on-going efforts to rid Lagos State of filth.

    He noted with concern that soon after littered black spots and illegal dumping sites were cleared, some residents would return and dump waste at the same spots. He admonished residents to use approved and legitimate dumping sites to dispose their refuse to avoid arrest and prosecution.

    “The Cleaner Lagos Initiative was borne out of the need for Lagos to employ the operating standards adopted by other countries in the area of waste management. With the introduction of the CLI, we have launched a full-scale war on improper waste management within the state. The CLI is the solution to the recurring complaints about the manner waste is disposed within the state. I have no doubt that it will be a huge success when we roll it out fully by next year,” said the commissioner.

    Taking a cue from Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who advised Lagos residents during his budget presentation speech to pay their Public Utility Levy (PUL), Adejare stated that the PUL is a consolidated fee replacing former waste charges collected by the government from property owners and residents, positing that the new policy would help in optimising efficiency in the waste management process. He enjoined Lagosians to pay their bills promptly.

    On the dispute between Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and the Lagos State Government, Adejare said the PSPs lack the capacity to handle the over 10,000 metric tonnes of waste generated in Lagos daily in an effective and scientific manner, adding that Lagosians would see the impact of the new arrangement when it becomes fully implemented. He added that Governor Ambode has mandated officials of the state to ensure that the PSPs were accommodated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, believing that indigenous operators must play a part in the process.

     

  • Lagos warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Lagos warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents dumping refuse indiscriminately on the streets and dredgers sand filling wetlands to desist from such unwholesome practice or face the wrath of the law.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare who stated this on Friday in Lagos whilst fielding questions on a television programme said the PSP operators could not cope with the quantum of waste being generated in the state estimated to be 13,000 metric tons per day.

    He said the PSP operators erroneously believed that they were being put out of business and assured them that they were still an integral part of the loop as attested to by the on-going re-certification exercise of the operators.

    He disclosed that the Lagos State Government was tackling the knotty waste problems in the state in a comprehensive manner with the assistance of about 12 consortiums including Visionscape, a globally acclaimed environmental utility group that would confront the issue with technology, better funding and germane solutions under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative which will become fully operational in September.

    He said that what was currently being experienced was just the transitory period aggravated by acts of saboteurs and dredgers involving only transportation of waste, adding that under CLI refuse will be a resource to the government.

    His words: “Under the CLI, waste would first be collected from all the 377 wards in the state before being transported to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where they would be sorted out into nylons, papers, bottles and organic wastes for recycling. About 27, 500 workers would be employed and they would earn slightly more than the minimum wage, enjoy medical and life insurance as well as injury cover. They will not spend money on transportation as they would be recruited from their neighbourhood”.

    The Commissioner assured residents and indigenes of the state that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would deliver on all his promises, adding that Lagos State would be the first state in the country to surmount the problem of waste disposal.

     

  • Cleaner Lagos initiative takes off September – Ambode

    Cleaner Lagos initiative takes off September – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said that the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), which is a major reform of his administration to revolutionize the solid waste management sector in line with international best practices will commence in the first week of September.

    The Governor, who spoke at a media workshop in Lagos to sensitize journalists ahead of the take-off, said the initiative would not only change the solid waste management system in the State, but would also engender a sustainable, cleaner and healthier environment for Lagosians, just as he assured that the people would be better for it.

    Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said all was now set for the eventual take off, with the passage of the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, the concession of residential waste collection and procession to a reputable and competent multinational Waste Services Company as well as the transformation of the erstwhile Kick Against Indiscipline Brigade to a more civil Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC).

    The Governor said in the interim, a temporary intervention programme tagged “Operation Deep Clean”, was already on going with a mandate to evacuate solid waste from dark spots and major locations across the State, urging Lagosians to cultivate the habit of bagging their waste properly.

    “We are going to start the CLI by first week in September and by the grace of God Lagosians would see how we intends to clean Lagos and make it a more beautiful and liveable environment for us.

    “In the meantime, we have thrown up and intervention programme that the Ministry of the Environment, LAWMA and Visionscape is doing called ‘Operation Deep Clean’. The three of them have combined together and are doing this intervention programme supported by our PSP team and even we have started using open trucks for them just to make sure that we don’t have refuse so much on our road.

    “I want to tell Lagosians that don’t dump refuse irresponsibly, bag your refuse, put it in front of your house and I assure you, this Government would come and take them. Don’t worry, where there is no pain, there is no gain, this is just a transition that we are in and by the grace of God come first week in September, we would see the new thing and we would all enjoy it and be happy about it,” he said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said that the commitment of his administration to ensure the successful implementation of the CLI was driven by the strategic importance of the environment as a bedrock upon which development and economic prosperity rest.

    He also said that the spirited efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene are founded with the determination to provide a level playing field for all investors and inject international best practices into Solid Waste Management sector in the State.

    “This initiative has offered us the unique opportunity to seek private investment from nationally and internationally renowned players in the waste management sector, infuse more efficiency and enhance the standard of living of our people by attaining a cleaner, safer and more secured environment,” the Governor said.

    The Governor, therefore, said the workshop was necessary to deepen the understanding of members of the media and put the CLI in proper perspective with regards to its modus operandi and the expected benefits to Lagosians.

    “The CLI is a reform of the solid waste management sector of the State and that is why we are here. We know that by educating and exposing the media to all the facts about CLI, you would be able to educate the people because their buy-in is very critical and very important and you know we are responsible for them and to them, so therefore, educating them through you is very important,” he said.

  • Lagos Assembly tasks commissioner on floods

    Lagos Assembly tasks commissioner on floods

    The Lagos State of House of Assembly on Tuesday urged the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, to check recurrent flooding in parts of the state.

    The call followed a motion by the Chairman of the House Committee on Waterfronts Infrastructure, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu and seconded by Mr. Segun Olulade, the Chairman of House Committee on Health.

    The House also urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the ministry and other relevant agencies to remove all unapproved structure in the state.

    In his motion, Yishawu said the government must ensure that all canals and other drainage infrastructures are cleared frequently.

    He said: “This House calls on the Ministry of Environment and all relevant agencies to be more proactive in removing all encumbrances to free flow of water.

    “The ministry should create a rescue team and ensure cooperation with local governments as well as collaboration with other ministries to checkmate floods.

    “There is a need for proper information dissemination, sensitization of public and monitoring.”

    Earlier, Adejare, who appeared before the lawmakers, briefed the lawmakers on measures to curb flooding in the state.

    Adejare blamed the massive flood that ravaged some parts of the state on natural and human causes.

    “The flood affected places such as Lekki, Victoria Island and Lekki- Epe Expressway. But the water receded within 12 hours. We have been embarking on tree planting to reduce effect of climate change in the state.

    “Man-made is caused by people who build houses on drainage. We saw people sand filling to build houses at Osborne Phase 2. People also build houses by the lagoon against the law,’’ the commissioner said.

    NAN

     

     

  • No plans to witch-hunt Hoteliers, others says LASG

    No plans to witch-hunt Hoteliers, others says LASG

    Lagos State Government Tuesday said it has no plans to witch-hunt anyone or force them out of business, saying that it was concern about health implications of uncontrolled noise pollution on the residents.

    There had been apprehension over the prohibition of live band music at various beer parlours, restaurants and food joints in the state

    Speaking at a-day stakeholders’ Summit with club owners, hotels, lunges, restaurants, ‎the State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said that the state was not interested in banning live bands but would only regulate and educate them on the need to manage noise and other pollution generated in the course of their businesses.

    Adejare reiterated the government’s commitment to boost tourism and entertainment, saying that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration would not ban live ban or take policies that would force them out of business.

    Also speaking, on the theme of the Summit, entitled: “Regulating Hospitality and Allied Services in Mega City: the Role of Service Providers”, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Adebola Shabi, an engineer, explained that‎ the stakeholders was put together re-orientate the club owners, hoteliers and others in the hospitality business on the need to consider health hazards of their business on other residents.

    While saying that government was not planning to backtrack over its stance on open live ban in residential areas, Shabi said that sound proof engineers were invited for the summit to help educate the operators.

    He assured that the government was ready to sensitise the club owners, hoteliers and restaurants and relaxation joints operators on what they need to do, if they must operate in Lagos.

    Shabi said:” We are calling them so as to sensitise them on what and what needed to be done as regard soundproofing, safety, health and impact of their activities on the lives of other residents, who equally have the right to peaceful living. We will give them the guideline, the time frame on how to operate.”

    Shabi, who noted that‎ that those in hospitality business are guilty violating some of the provisions of the law on smoking, noise and other environmental pollution in the course of doing their businesses.

    ‎”Most of them are not aware of the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, the noise standard, fumigation  and a lot of things that they need to do. So, we must assist them to comply with the law.

    “They must soundproof their premises and because we have soundproof engineers here to educate them on what to do, they must use their activities to disturb others,” he added.

    Also speaking, Fuji maestro Adewale Ayuba, who was among the club owners, commended the government for the stakeholders, saying most club owners are ignorant of many state government’s regulations and which government’s officials to be allowed to regulate what.

    “We need education, enlightenment and more this sensitisation. There are ways of singing music without generating noise. When I get to a level that I know for no reason I don’t need blast my instrument generating noise. When music becomes noise, there is a problem. How can anyone get a good rest when music is blaring? So, it is good to know the decibel requires at various places and different times, when you know this, you won’t run afoul of the law,” he said.

     

  • Rainfall: Lagos caution residents against dumping refuse in drainages

    Rainfall: Lagos caution residents against dumping refuse in drainages

    As the 2017 rainy season gathers momentum, the Lagos State Government has allayed the fears of residents over the torrential rainfall witnessed in the State on Thursday, saying that necessary steps had been taken to avert any incidence of flood disaster in the State.

    The State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, in a statement said that the State Government had in recent times carried out intensive tour of some flood prone communities in the State to clear up blocked drainages and canals.

    The commissioner wondered why any right thinking person would be dumping refuse on water courses and drainages created for free flow of storm water, saying the numerous campaigns against such practice was for the interest of the residents.

    “Canal is a storm water channel for the conveyance of storm runoffs, they are God’s natural protection for holding water during massive flood and it is not a place for anybody to build a house or dump refuse. Those in the habit of doing such must stop henceforth,” Adejare said.

    Allaying fears of teeming Lagosians apprehensive of the rain, the Commissioner said that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the gutters had caused a lot of environmental disasters, warning that the government would no longer tolerate the building of illegal structures along channel right of ways in the state.

    To this end, he said the government had since begun demolishing illegal structures and shanties erected on the drains especially in flood prone areas.

    Adejare, however, urged residents living on wetlands and flood prone areas to be cautious and careful, urging them to limit their movement if possible and to move to higher ground if need be.

    He explained that it is their responsibility as a government to protect lives and property, appealing for the cooperation of all Lagosians in their quest to avert any flood mishap in the state.

     

  • Sweden, Lagos to collaborate on waste to energy development

    Sweden, Lagos to collaborate on waste to energy development

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare has received in audience, Prof. Nazdaneh Yarahmadi, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and the VINNOVA, the Swedish government agency that administers state funding for the research and development’s project leader, representing the team from Sweden.

    The meeting, which had the Director, Legal and Advisory Services, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mrs Yinka Adeyemi in attendance, was aimed at discussing the importance of waste management and waste to energy development in the State.

    Dr. Adejare opened the meeting by expressing the importance of waste management to Lagos State. He specifically mentioned and highlighted his gratitude to the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian Chapter, Ayoola Lawal, for organizing the meeting.

    According to Professor Kim Bolton, Researcher from University of Borås, this project is firmly based on, and extends, the present UDI project, which is based on establishing facts and tools to measure and predict the technical status of pipelines for water, sewage and energy distribution.

    “We will investigate the demand for these solutions in Nigeria. At the same time we will extend these activities to waste management, which we know is a challenge in Nigeria and where we have begun cooperation. In order to give the pre-study a concrete and manageable activity, we will focus on the piping systems used in water and sewage systems, as well as waste management via recovery to energy. In addition, the project will investigate methods and partners for implementation of the innovations that are identified as most possible to succeed.

    “SP, 4IT, FOV Fabrics AB and University of Borås, together with support from Sweden Water Research, WIN, and the know-how accumulated in the Swedish water industry can deliver enormous value to countries like Nigeria, and at the same time provide a great economic potential return. The consortium has extensive experience in international projects as well as strong and relevant networks in Nigeria,” Bolton said.

    At the meeting, Mrs Adeyemi introduced the VINNOVA project and presented LAWMA’s interest in the project while Prof. Yarahmadi and colleague explained the outcome of the project in some detail as well as the meetings that were held with Lagos State University and LAWMA. We also described our visit to the Olusosun landfill as well as the material sorting facility that is located near Ojo, an outskirt area of Lagos. We presented our admiration at the progress that has been made at the material sorting plant during the past five years, and expressed our interest to support further development of material sorting in Lagos.

    Adejare recounted interesting and relevant details of the current and future development in waste handling in the state.

    “There are plans to introduce new trucks for waste management and to develop new landfill sites. The material sorting plant outside Ojo may be closed since it is located too close to a local hospital,” the commissioner said.

    The commissioner confirmed that the project is timely and that it can support the planned development in Lagos. He gave further assurance for the collaboration and co-creation of innovations between Sweden and Lagos.

  • Ambode committed to flood free Lagos – Commissioner

    Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is committed to ensuring an aesthetically flood-free Lagos in his fight against the damaging effects of climate change in the state.

    This assurance was given by the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, who spoke at a one-day media workshop organized by Coastal Cities at Risk Project in Lagos.

    Adejare said the government has invested in effective drainage system and created an enabling environment for private sector participation in waste disposal and flood prevention in the state.

    The commissioner  who decried the attitude of some Lagos residence who still practice open defecation and improper disposal of waste, said about 13,000 tons of waste are generated daily with the state government lacking the financial and technical capacity to evacuate the waste thus needing heavy private sector participation.

    “There are houses in Lagos that do not have proper toilets and the owners are collecting rents there, people throw away their refuse in our drainages causing flooding. Lagos does not have the capacity yet to take waste management to the level it should be so we need more capacity in that respect. We need to realize that governance is shared responsibility between those in government and the people,” Adejare said.

    On waste management, the commissioner revealed that Olusosun refuse dump will be shut down by December 2016.

    “The governor has directed and I will do it. We want to have a standardized waste management system in place,” he said.