The Lagos State Government and the British High Commission in Nigeria are set to collaborate on the generation of energy from solid waste as well as recycling for an improved economy.
Speaking during a business visit to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources by delegates from the British High Commission, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said Lagos is ready and open for business opportunities in the Environment Sector.
According to him, public Service is mainly about the people and what can be done to impact the lives of the people positively. Wahab expressed elation at the amendments to the Electricity Bill which allows the State to have the concurrent power to generate electricity and distribute it to the citizens.
He mentioned that in times past, exclusive empowerment of the Federal Government to solely determine the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity had been a hindrance to many states’ initiatives.
The Commissioner, while speaking on climate financing, said the State is open to investment opportunities and partnership, saying it is time for stakeholders to have pure work plans and be very realistic and deliberate about actions to combat the environmental scourge.
“We understand there are yardsticks for investment but the criteria used in European countries cannot be used in Third World developing countries because the realities are quite different”, he said.
He said countries that depend on fossil fuel cannot be abruptly stopped without presenting and making available options, adding that 80 per cent of the average Nigerian income comes from Fossil fuel.
He explained that solid waste management is a major issue for the State, as the State generates 13,000 – 15,000 tonnes of waste daily, stressing that the PSP waste collection system needs support in finding creative ways to manage dumpsites.
The Commissioner commended the will of the present administration to implement policies regarding Environmental issues particularly solid waste management as displayed in the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on environmental issues with private investors on ways to generate energy from dumpsites.
He emphasised that the Government would continue to step up its advocacy and sensitisation against unwholesome waste disposal by the people. “The change of heart from the people is very important as the continued dumping of refuse in the canals and drains will come back to haunt us all”, he said.
Wahab added that people should be more circumspect with the way they deal with nature, noting that whatever they give to nature is what they will get back either positive or negative.
In the area of flood control, the Commissioner appealed to residents to effectively pursue approvals for their building from the Ministry of Physical Planning and the Ministry of the Environment for Drainage approvals and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before embarking on building projects to avoid demolition of such buildings in future.
In her remark, the Head of Economic Development, Climate and Energy, British High Commission Abuja, Sally Woolhouse, said the Commission was interested in partnering with the state on Climate Financing Infrastructure as well as trade investments.
She explained that the Commission was particularly interested in how to increase the flow of finance to Nigeria generally, especially Lagos State, adding that other areas of interest include waste energy and waste recycling which have both Climate and Economic benefits in flood resilience and water management.
The Director, Drainage Enforcement and Compliance, Engr. Mahmood Adegbite mentioned that the Government is in discussion and awaiting the state Exco approval for introducing the Sustainable Urban Development System (SUDS) which is about proper water management
He said the SUDS will ensure all residents construct retention ponds in their houses as this system reduces the amount of stormwater released into the drainages.