… Set to Establish Material Recovery Facility
The Lagos State Government and a Ghana Waste Management Company, Jonspong, on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to treat solids and liquids in the state.
The MOU which was initiated by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab and Executive Chairman of JOSPONG Group, Dr. Joseph Agyepong will amongst other things establish a Material Recovery Facility to reduce downstream pressure (waste disposal volume) at landfills.
The MOU will also involve putting in place Compact/Mobile Transfer loading stations to replace current stationary plants and reduce waste at pressure points such as markets.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab noted that the signing of the MOU is a major milestone in the journey towards transforming the landscape of waste management in Lagos State.
He said the challenges of solid and liquid waste management in a rapidly growing megacity like Lagos with its vibrant population, bustling markets, and dynamic industries, generates substantial amounts of waste that requires innovative, sustainable management solutions.
Wahab said the partnership with the Jospong Group, a leader in environmental and waste management services in Africa, represents a great leap in government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Lagosians through effective waste management.
“As we gather to sign this Memorandum of Understanding between the Lagos State Government and the Jospong Group of Ghana; we are not just signing a document; we are inaugurating a partnership that embodies our shared vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos”, he said.
The Commissioner said the two bodies will develop integrated solid and liquid waste management facilities that will not only meet the current needs of the city but also anticipate the demands of the growing population.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong said the problem of environmental Sanitation is not a matter of convenience but a cornerstone of public health as stipulated by the Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 of Clean Water & Sanitation.
He said according to a report by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) the State produces approximately 13,000 tons of waste per day and the focus mainly by Jospong is on downstream Waste Management and not Waste collection.
He assured upstream operators i.e. waste collectors that plans are in place to support them with equipment to make their work much more effective and efficient.
He promised to provide 2000 Tricycles to support the Association of Waste Managers in Lagos on waste collection.
He added that the collaboration will be done with the Lagos State Government, through its parastatals Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) to see an overall improvement in waste management in Lagos State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji noted that Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria experiences an influx of migrants with consequences like over-population, increasing environmental pollution and waste problems amongst others which have become matters of serious concern to this Administration.
“With the Memorandum of Understanding we are signing today, I believe it is a new dawn for the City of Lagos and in no time we will have issues related to solid waste management becoming a history. I very much look forward to seeing the fruits of our collaboration, for a clean and healthier Lagos”, he said
Also, present at the event were Lagos State Commissioners for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN); Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi as well as Chairman House Committee on Environment, Hon. Taiwo Afinnih and Chairman Committee on Environment Parastatal, Hon. Rasheed Shabi and Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo and several other stakeholders from Ghana and the financial sector.