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  • Experts seek citizens’ partnership to tackle pollution, urban growth

    Experts seek citizens’ partnership to tackle pollution, urban growth

    Environmental experts and government officials have called for stronger collaboration between government and residents to address rising environmental challenges linked to pollution, rapid urbanisation and population growth across the state.

    The call was made at the 2026 Annual Retreat of the Environmental Assessment Department of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with the theme: “Reflect, Review, Refocus and Recommit to Strengthening Environmental Governance for a Sustainable Future in Lagos State.”

    In her address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, described the gathering as a critical moment for reflection, renewal and strategic planning.

     “A retreat is a time to look back at the journey, identify gaps and deliberately plan for the future. Success is not accidental; it is a product of deliberate planning and teamwork,” she said, urging staff at all levels to see environmental governance as a collective responsibility.

    He noted that the ministry’s work is a “marathon, not a sprint,” adding that innovation and collaboration were no longer optional but necessary to meet Lagos’ growing environmental challenges.

    From the department of geography, university of Lagos, Dr Feyi Oni, in his lecture, commended the state for the depth of its environmental data assessment, describing it as comparable to international standards.

    “Very few states have achieved this level of competence in environmental assessment. Lagos has presented a comprehensive 2025 State of the Environment report covering air, water, noise pollution and environmental impact assessments,” he said.

    According to Dr Oni, findings revealed pollution hotspots in some areas, including high noise levels in parts of Ojuelegba and Oshodi, as well as concerns about water and air quality.

    He said the data provided a strong scientific basis for future policy interventions.

    “This is pure scientific analysis. The next stage is to develop policies, laws and prescriptions that will improve environmental quality,” he added.

    Dr Oni stressed that the most important takeaway from the retreat was the state’s increasing focus on human-centric environmental governance.

     “The people are carried along. Communities are consulted, traditional rulers are involved, and local residents monitor activities. This has improved compliance significantly over the years,” he said.

    He added that awareness campaigns, enforcement and certainty of sanctions had contributed to reduced water pollution, as residents are now more conscious of the consequences of dumping waste into lagoons and drainage channels.

    He noted that rapid urbanisation, population growth and climate change continue to place enormous pressure on Lagos’ environment, making strong enforcement and citizen participation more critical than ever.

    The Director of Environmental Assessment, Mr Sojinu Olasunkanmi, said the retreat was organised to review the department’s 2025 performance and refocus for improved service delivery in 2026.

    “Our performance last year was good, but we want to do better. We are not satisfied with being good; we want to be excellent,” he said.

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    He disclosed that recent assessments showed high levels of certain air pollutants, including sulphur oxides and particulate matter, as well as water pollution linked to human activities in some locations.

     “The data has been collected and assessed. The next step is stakeholder engagement, policy formulation and targeted enforcement,” Olasunkanmi said, adding that public awareness must precede enforcement to achieve lasting behavioural change.

    He also revealed ongoing studies on groundwater contamination near public cemeteries and reiterated the need for long-term solutions such as improved public water supply to reduce reliance on boreholes.

    Resource persons at the retreat emphasised that traditional approaches could no longer deliver current reform objectives, especially in a complex and fast-growing megacity like Lagos.

    They stressed the need to move beyond creativity to innovation, defined as the execution of ideas that deliver measurable outcomes.

     “Innovation is judged by results, not intentions,” one of the speakers noted, adding that delays in service delivery often reflect leadership and coordination gaps within institutions.

    Participants at the retreat ended with a renewed commitment by the ministry to strengthen innovation, accountability and people-focused service delivery in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.

  • Towards a pollution-free Lagos

    Towards a pollution-free Lagos

    The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) plays a crucial role in maintaining the environmental health of Lagos, addressing diverse challenges such as air and noise pollution. Despite significant strides in managing pollution, especially with the expansion of air quality monitors and the launch of the Lagos Carbon Registry, the agency faces persistent issues, particularly in controlling noise pollution, which accounts for the majority of public complaints. The agency’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices is evident in its focus on local research, capacity building and partnerships with academic institutions to develop home-grown solutions for the city’s unique environmental challenges, reports OYEBOLA OWOLABI

    Nothing compares to breathing clean air, free from any form of pollution. It becomes even better when real-time updates on air quality are available, allowing you to plan your journey through a city, much like weather forecasts. This is the goal the Lagos State government hopes to achieve in the near future. Interestingly, however, it is impossible for air to be 100 per cent clean; there is a permissible threshold for pollutants.

    According to Dr. Abiona Odeyemi, a Consultant Pulmonologist at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, it becomes hazardous when this limit is surpassed. He said: “Air pollution means that the air contains things that should not be there, and inhaling them is dangerous to the human system. However, there is a level to which pollutants are allowed in the air because the air cannot be 100 per cent clean. When these pollutants exceed their limit is when there is a problem. Also, studies have linked air pollution to the occurrence of certain diseases like stroke, cataract, and lung infections like pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).”

    To prevent these untoward experiences, Dr Odeyemi advocated the use of air quality monitors which help to ascertain the level of pollutants in the air so that appropriate actions can be taken. He added: “The air quality monitors help to monitor the level of pollutants in the air so that then they exceed their permissible level, those in charge can take actions to reverse the trend.”

    In Lagos State, the air quality is generally considered good, but the government is not taking any chances, as there are still areas with poor air quality, according to Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA). Ajayi explained that the government has invested in air quality monitors to track the air within the city and take appropriate action when necessary. The state has expanded its network of monitors from 20 to 43, strategically placed across the metropolis. Plans are already in place to increase this number to 60 by the end of the year, Ajayi added.

    These monitors also help the agency keep up with its weekly release of air quality index on its social media handles so Lagosians are enlightened on what to expect. Ajayi said: “We have doubled the number of air quality monitors to 43 from the initial 20. We are looking to hit 60 by the year end because the Lagos State government is invested in making life easier for residents. This will also put Lagos on the global stage because you begin to get verifiable date on what the air quality is like as you approach the city.

    “Air quality is important for many things. People with respiratory problems, say asthma, cannot live in areas with bad air quality because they will have more episodes. And so the government is investing in these things to stem health problems. As the government invests in keeping the environment safe, there is ultimately a reduction in the cost of healthcare.

    “Also, the air quality index we release every Monday on our social media handles tells what the air quality is like in different areas. Where it is bad, we trace the source and take appropriate actions. For instance, we found a fishing community in Bariga where women smoke fish for export. The level of smoke was so much and it affected the air quality. We arranged for them to have a smoking kiln that traps smoke and filters it before it goes into the atmosphere, and today that community is better for it.”

    Lagos carbon registry and non-smoking law

    Another significant initiative by LASEPA is the launch of the Lagos Carbon Registry, which enables the agency to track emissions across various sectors and document carbon footprints. This initiative plays a vital role in contributing to the state’s sustainability index, helping Lagos monitor and manage its environmental impact more effectively.

    Ajayi said: “I guess the biggest and most important project we’ve executed is to launch the Lagos carbon registry which puts us the pedestal that enables us to trade carbon globally. It helps us document our carbon footprints, and we’re able to tell how much of greenhouse gas emissions were saving or emitting. It cuts across the transport sector, agricultural sector, industrial sector, even the home in terms of generators and cooking emissions. Measuring emissions and making sure that these things are properly documented for Lagos is a very giant stride.”

    Also, the non-smoking law which prohibits smoking in public spaces has just been enacted and enforcement will start soon. According to Ajayi, “We have a strategy, which will be rolled out from November. December is when all these clubs gather for various activities so enforcement will be full force.

    “So there are six or seven components of that law that every public building must have. If you have to smoke, you need to go to the designated smoking area. You can’t smoke in public places. You can’t smoke in front of people under 18. You can’t smoke inside closed spaces. Every public building must have a non-smoking sign inside and smoking area outside. You can’t smoke in the bathrooms in public places. We are not doing it alone, but in partnership with the NDLEA, and Lagos Safety Commission, and we’re able to, together, reach all of these places.”

    LASEPA’s responsibilities, however, extend beyond air quality issues. Its mandate includes tackling all forms of pollution, including noise and water pollution. According to Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, approximately 80 per cent of complaints received by LASEPA are related to noise pollution. Among these, religious centres account for the largest share, largely due to the lack of control over the establishment of such facilities under current regulations.

    Ajayi also attributed the high levels of noise pollution to human nature, explaining that people are often insensitive to the needs of others, which makes enforcement difficult. He stated: “I think the bottom line is that people are generally poorly behaved when it comes to complying with regulations. One major challenge we face is that after enforcement actions and shutdowns, they may maintain the required standards for four or five months before disregarding them. This forces us to restart the process. The reason we are able to enforce compliance initially is because offenders pay fines and face temporary shutdowns.”

    “But after the consequences, some people go back to doing the same thing after four or five months, the next time you seal them the consequence is doubled, but they will still go back. Another challenge is the diversity in range. A lot of them operate in the middle of the night, so it’s difficult to ascertain what went on and how. We will however keep at it and continue to do our best for the good of every resident.”

    One of the strategies LASEPA employs is engaging with religious leaders on a quarterly basis to educate them on the harmful effects of noise pollution and the importance of maintaining noise levels below 60 decibels during their services. These regular meetings aim to ensure that religious leaders fully understand the significance of reducing noise levels. In addition, LASEPA conducts frequent media campaigns to raise awareness among the public about the dangers of noise pollution.

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    “Number three is that when there is a violation, we send the offenders an abatement notice which is a warning. The second one is a pre-sanction and the third is when we seal up the premises. So far, we have sealed about 352 facilities in the last one year, which is a very small percentage considering that we are monitoring over 20,000 businesses/facilities cutting across religious, industrial and even residential apartments.

    “We are not trying to shut down businesses, but we just must ensure that people see consequences to bad behaviour.” The General Manager also highlighted that addressing noise pollution occupies up to 90 per cent of the agency’s time, despite it being only about five per cent of LASEPA’s overall mandate. This is because noise pollution affects everyone, making it a widespread issue that requires significant attention and resources.

    Going forward

    Ajayi stated that LASEPA will continue its efforts to ensure the environment remains safe and free from pollution. He emphasised that the agency will focus on investing in locally generated research to develop home-grown solutions to environmental challenges, ensuring that these solutions are tailored to the unique needs of Lagos State.

    He said: “Any society that aims to develop must prioritise research and locally generated data that are specific to our environment. So, we are going to place a strong emphasis on research. We have partnerships with all the universities in Lagos, and we will focus on developing local skills within our institutions.

    “Instead of purchasing air quality monitors from Germany or China, we plan to develop them locally. We have already started discussions with a department at LASU, and the conversation is progressing. We will also prioritise capacity development for our staff, ensuring they are well-grounded, thorough, and capable of handling any challenges that arise, no matter their origin. We will continue to set high standards and improve as we move forward.”

  • FG demands action to stop river pollution on 2024 World Rivers Day

    FG demands action to stop river pollution on 2024 World Rivers Day

    The federal government has issued a strong call for urgent measures to protect Nigeria’s rivers from pollution, citing the increasing threats from flooding, industrial waste, and climate change.

    Marking the 2024 World Rivers Day under the theme “Protect Our Rivers from Pollution,” the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, urged citizens and state governments to prioritize river conservation.

    Prof. Utsev highlighted the critical role rivers play in Nigeria’s water supply, food production, and ecosystem health.

    He stressed that the ongoing threat of pollution and climate change requires immediate action, particularly in light of the devastating flooding in Maiduguri earlier this month, which claimed lives and destroyed property.

    The Ministry has since launched an overhaul of the Alau Dam to prevent future disasters.

    “Rivers are integral to our survival, but they are under constant threat from pollution, deforestation, and unregulated industrial activities. We must treat them as living entities that need to be protected.” Utsev stated.

    The minister also warned of potential flooding along the Benue River, following controlled water releases from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. He directed states along the river to remain vigilant and relocate communities at risk.

    Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq., the Minister of State for Water Resources, echoed the call for action, emphasizing the crucial link between rivers and dam safety.

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    He urged the media to help combat misinformation regarding dam health, which can cause unnecessary panic and undermine confidence in vital infrastructure.

    As part of its efforts to promote sustainable water management, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” with a focus on food security, economic development, and achieving an open defecation-free Nigeria by 2025.

    Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard P. Pheelangwah, further stressed the importance of protecting rivers from pollution, noting that human activities and climate change continue to endanger freshwater sources.

    He called for intensified efforts to conserve and preserve rivers, which are vital to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human well-being.

    The 2024 World Rivers Day celebration serves as a reminder to Nigerians of the importance of protecting the country’s rivers from pollution and misuse.

    The Ministry urged all stakeholders and communities living around rivers to work together to ensure these natural resources remain clean, healthy, and sustainable for future generations.

  • UK, FAO to curb pollution, deforestation

    UK, FAO to curb pollution, deforestation

    United Kingdom PACT (UK-PACT), and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have embarked on a project in Nigeria to protect the mangrove ecosystem from pollution and deforestation.

    The project, “Integrated Management of mangrove ecosystem and expansion of social protection for fisheries and forest dependents in  Cross River State,”, is funded by UK-PACT and implemented by FAO.

    This is in response to concern about communities in the mangrove ecosystem in the state which depend on it for fisheries and others.

    Speaking at the launch in Abuja yesterday, Climate Change and Nature Team Lead for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at British High Commission, Abuja, Martine Sobey, said the project would help communities depend ing on mangroves for fish, livelihoods.

    Sobey, who noted that mangroves in Nigeria are critical habitat and biodiversity, said they also provide livelihood for forest-dependent communities.

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    She said they have been supporting the programme for the last six months, working with communities, and governments.

    FAO’s Country Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Koffy Dominique, said the mangrove ecosystem in Cross River is a vital natural resource and critical component of livelihoods.

    Dominique said the balance between conservation and sustainable use of this ecosystem is of concern, especially given the increasing threats from deforestation, firewood and timber collection, as well as misuse of pesticides and other agro-chemicals which led to pollution.

    He noted the communities’ reliance on fisheries and forest resources underscores the need for holistic and integrated mangrove management approaches to ensure the well-being of the environment and the population.

  • Reduction in environmental degradation, pollution possible, if…

    Reduction in environmental degradation, pollution possible, if…

    Reduction in environmental degradation in air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse emissions, is achievable in Nigeria when states embrace circular solutions in chemical and waste management.

    Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya brought this to the fore during the second edition of the Chemical Handling and Usage Workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State, organised by the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), with the theme, ‘Chemical and Waste Management, Circular Solutions for a Sustainable Economy.’

    Oresanya said it was imperative to map out modalities for safety and material recycling without compromising the well-being of the people and a conducive environmental landscape, pointing out that states needed to develop an efficient and sustainable production model that guarantees integrity.

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    He added that establishing a synergy with relevant regulators, such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Environmental Standards and Regulations and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and health workers, among others, would sustain the overdue global expectation of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    In his presentation, titled, ‘Roles and Contributions of Sub-National Targets/Goals on Circular Economy,’ the Programme Coordinator, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, (UNIDO), Dr. Oluyomi Banjo, stated the need to formulate policies, regulations and action plans that would be implemented at all levels of government in proffering solutions for chemical management, to reduce environmental degradation.

  • A Black Market For Pollution

    In 2016, when the average final-year engineering graduate at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi (ITT Delhi) was frantic about campus placements, Kushagra Srivastava, 24, decided that he wasn’t going to join the rat race. As CEO, he was already looking at expanding his start-up, established in June of that year.

    A student of textile engineering, Srivastava and his colleagues, after scraping up money from alumni, family and friends, were looking to build a machine—in essence an efficient filter—that could trap the particulate matter in the exhaust from diesel generators and ensure clean air is emitted by the engine. These carbonised emissions, so extracted, are then turned into ink that can be used as paint or ink for printers.

    Their device, Chakr Shield, a retrofit emission control device for diesel generators, is the mainstay of their company, Chakr Innovations (CI), now in the third year of its existence. Srivastava and his colleagues, Arpit Dhupar, a mechanical engineer two years his senior from IIT Delhi and Prateek Sachan, in the Chemical Engineering department, have so far installed 70 particulate-capturing machines in a slew of industries and claimed to have “purified about 50,000 billion litres of air” that would have otherwise gone unfiltered into the atmosphere.

    Srivastava and Dhupar claimed to have been personally affected by pollution while they were students in Delhi. “I was heavily into football but the bad air often affected my outdoor playing,” said Dhupar, in a promotional film about CI.

    Fourteen out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India, as per figures compiled and released last year by the World Health Organization (WHO). Delhi topped that list.

    The Chakr Shield fits in the exhaust pipe of a diesel generator and captures 70 to 90 percent of the particulate matter generated as engine exhaust. The device draws inspiration from commercially available diesel particulate filters (DPF), fitted in diesel cars in Europe to trap fine, toxic diesel emissions. But it turns the concept on its head, Srivastava said.

    The typical DPF is made up of a system of sieves that captures ultra-fine diesel particulate matter emitted from the engine tailpipe. The air from the heat of the engine “burns” these fine particles and converts them into carbon dioxide or monoxide. “Thus hazardous fine particulate matter is converted into less hazardous gases [which are emitted from the engine exhaust],” said Srivastava. A traditional DPF only converts one form of carbon into another and requires the engine to use more energy (and hence fuel) to push out the carbon.

    Chakr Shield does away with the sieves, and works by cooling the engine exhaust. When small particles are rapidly cooled, they coagulate and expand, due to a phenomenon called thermophoresis, becoming easier to capture. These larger particles are then made to pass through a snaking “maze of contours and meshes” into which they are inhaled. A solvent then passes through this winding path and the resulting liquid extract can be turned into ink. The engine, wiped clean of these particles, emits relatively clean air.

    Srivastava expects CI to be profitable in two years and has already gone through two rounds of investor funding — a sum that the company doesn’t disclose. Irrespective of the companies that CI is associated with, such as Titan, Jyoti Sagar Associates and Mahindra & Mahindra, Srivastava said that their mainstay is going to be producing black ink. He expects that a variety of applications in printers and the printing industry in general will turn this into a “humongous” business.

    With an estimated market of 232 million tonnes, valued at about 54 billion Indian rupees (USD 830 million), the Indian ink industry has grown at an average of more than 8 percent per year over the past 10 years, according to trade publication InkWorld Magazine. “We supply to Dell [for the computer company’s printers] and their demand is already 100 times more than what we can produce…. and they want it for their China division too,” said Srivastava.

    The global printer ink market is expected to witness an annual growth rate of 4.7 percent until 2023, reaching nearly USD 24 million, said market research agency Prescient & Strategic (P&S).

    The idea of making ink from diesel emissions isn’t exclusive to CI. Graviky, a Bengaluru-based company, also extracts ink from a DPF installed in automobile engines. However, Srivastava – inspired by Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk – said that his company isn’t looking at cars because they are likely to be outdated. “In about a decade, I believe, electric vehicles are going to take over and there won’t be a market for diesel cars. We’d like to target industries that cannot be electrified. For instance, we collaborate with ONGC [the leading oil and natural gas company in India] to extract the soot from industrial chimneys. Then there are boilers… We are a business-to-business company and not a consumer-facing one,” he explained.

    The company is looking to improve the efficiency of its product as well as explore “parallel applications.” Activated carbon – products that employ charcoal or carbon with increased surface area (and thus a greater ability to absorb pollutants) – is one potential product. Such carbon can be used in water filters or similar applications, according to Srivastava.

     

    This article is being published as part of Earth Beats, an international and collaborative initiative gathering 18 news media outlets from around the world to focus on solutions to waste and pollution.

  • Recycle to save environment from plastic pollution, NCF urges firms

    The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has urged companies manufacturing fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to save the environment from plastic pollution through recycling.

    NCF’s Senior Consultant Officer, Environmental Education Mrs Abidemi Balogun gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. She also appealed to multinational companies to join the campaign against plastic pollution.

    Mrs Balogun said the companies could attach incentives to waste collection and recycling to create more jobs and reduce plastic pollution to save the environment.

    She said NCF was carrying out an advocacy on proper waste collection, recycling and management in 17 communities in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos.

    The consultant said the aim of the campaign was to educate residents on dangers of inappropriate waste disposal, and that the residents were trained on waste-to-wealth and recycling initiatives.

    Balogun said the foundation also introduced recycling points to buy the sorted wastes from the residents, saying most participants were earning good money from the programme.

    She suggested the need for FMCGs and multinational corporations to perfect ways of buying back plastic wastes from residents for the purpose of recycling plastic products.

    The consultant said the NCF carried along community heads as it sensitised residents and engaged in physical clean up with them.

    Balogun added that the foundation introduced a point-based collection with centres within the communities and participants were paid after reaching a particular level.

    “Some of the communities just generate the waste; they did not know that they could generate income from it.

    “One thing we identified from the exercise is that most of the waste is plastic and it is none biodegradable, it does not break down, so, most of it goes back into the environment or the water bodies.

    “That is why for the 2018 World Environment Day, plastic pollution was the focus because it is a global concern.

    “We call on other corporate organisations, the beverage companies to have initiatives like this, where they can develop programmes to buy off plastics from communities thereby engaging them.

    “It will serve as a source of employment to the communities because if some people know that they can get money from collecting plastics, they will want to go into it as a full time job because plastic is everywhere,’’ she said.

    Balogun said the NCF had also started discussing with clubs in schools across the council area, and that the schools usually went round to clean up the environment while creating awareness.

    “The students can also use the waste materials to make things they can use in the home.

    “We want continuity of the initiative, that is why we are going beyond the communities to working with the schools because even when the children graduate, other children are there to continue the activity,’’ she said.

    Mrs Balogun said the foundation got a grant of N7 million in 2017 for the programme, and the criteria for selection of communities included proximity to NCF and low income areas.

    The consultant listed the communities to include, Mopo Onijebu, Ataguntan, Sangotedo, Badore, Ikate, among others. (NAN).

  • Pollution: Lagos clamps down on filling station

    THE Lagos State government, at the weekend, wielded the big stick on Total Filling Station in Akoka for alleged pollution of water resources.

    Environment Commissioner Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said the government’s attention was drawn to the issue after the filling station reported the leakage of its underground tank to the authorities. This, he explained, caused anxiety in some quarters about the pollution of water sources in the community.

    He said the government  promptly intervened through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), which prompted the filling station to correct the leakage and stop further pollution of the environment.

    “Going forward, we have directed that an Environmental Forensic Audit be immediately carried out to determine the exact source and extent of the pollution,” he said.

    Durosinmi-Etti also directed the closure of the filling station, pending the outcome of the audit, adding that the government would not hesitate to take any measure to protect the health and well-being of the citizens.

    He called for the decommissioning of boreholes installed by the filling station as palliative for the affected residents, urging the management to liaise with the Lagos Water Corporation for the supply of pipe –borne water to the affected residents, while further findings on the pollution are ongoing.

    The LASEPA had been mandated to monitor and ensure the implementation of the directives given to the fuel station.

  • Visionscape sensitises residents on pollution

    International environmental utility firm, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions has reiterated its commitment to the fight against plastic pollution, following a community sensitisation organised to mark the United Nations 2018 World Environment Day, in partnership with a local cement manufacturer.

    The sensitisation, themed “Beat Plastic Pollution”, was held in Lagos Island West Local Community Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State. Participants consisted of market leaders, representatives of government agencies, key environmental players in the sector.

    The Operations Manager, Shola Taiwo, said: “Curbing plastic pollution is a collective effort. There is something we can all do, and it will be to the benefit of everyone.” Visionscape urged residents to reduce their use of plastic and rubber materials to fight plastic pollution.

    he World Environment Day, celebrated June 5 every year, is dedicated to address the issues facing the environment. This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution”, focuses on reducing plastic and rubber pollution in the environment.

    The Visionscape Group is a multifaceted environmental utility conglomerate providing innovative solutions across the waste management value chain for diverse industries across the world. Each of its subsidiaries specialises in providing products and services in key sectors.

     

  • Lagos moves to end plastic pollution, dangles monetary incentives

    Lagos State Government has urged residents to be proactive in the fight to end plastic pollution in the state with a view to protect and preserve the earth.

    In a statement to mark the 2018 World Earth Day, the state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, while urging Lagosians to be protective of the earth as it is a blessing to mankind, said:“The Earth is a blessing to mankind because it is our source of water, food, medicine, and shelter.”

    Durosinmi-Etti explained that the World Earth Day, celebrated every April 22, was a day to appreciate and demonstrate support for environmental protection. He said it had been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues such as climate change, marine pollution, global warming, and wildlife crime, among others.

    The Commissioner, who said the earth was a magnificent space with incredibly complex and vibrant ecosystem, where living organisms interact with each other and their environment to create ideal conditions for living, urged Lagosians to protect the biodiversity of the state and embrace acts that lead to the conservation of the environment.

    He said the 2018 edition of the world Earth Day with the theme: “End Plastic Pollution”, was dedicated to spreading awareness about dangers of plastic pollution, adding that it was time to recognise the need to end its use through persistent advocacy.

    “Plastic pollution is poisoning our waters and lands, injuring marine lives and affecting our overall health,” he said.

    The Commissioner used the opportunity to appeal to Lagosians to support household and community recycling with the reuse of plastic related materials to reduce the effect of plastic pollution on the environment.

    Meanwhile, to commemorate the 2018 World Environment Day on June 5, the state has initiated an Environmental Award tagged: ‘’Lagos Green Award’’, to recognise and honour individual, groups and organisations that have contributed to the environment.

    Durosinnmi-Etti explained that the award, which would be in nine different categories, was one of deliberate policies of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration to stimulate the appreciation of the environment among Lagosians.

    “Our environment will be safer if we all embrace the opportunity to get involved in protecting the environment, which is the superstructure on which our civilisation rests,” he stressed.

    He said members of the public could nominate deserving individuals, group or organisations whose action have directly improved the environmental resilience of Lagos State in any of the nine areas, namely environmental management, best environment practices, oil spill management, health, safety & environmental performance, waste prevention & recycling, solid waste treatment & disposal, emissions control technologies, natural resources conservation, innovation and sustainable solution.

    He emphasised that the conferment of the awards will follow a competitive process as participating units would be assessed against different sets of environmental performance criteria, adding that nominations or entries for the award must clearly identify an environment initiative and how it had impacted on the state.