Eko clean Air: LESEPA gives money in exchange for waste at Itedo community

By Hauwa Ali

The Lagos State  Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has flagged off a project tagged “Eko Clean Air”, with the exchange of ewaste and scrap materials for cash and distribution of eco-friendly materials for residents of Itedo Community in Eti-Osa Local Council of the state.

The  program which kicked off during the weekend,witnessed the distribution of 500 cooking gas stoves with content, 400 water bottles, 400 rechargeable lights and 400 reusable bags to the community members.

The process of exchanging waste for cash includes; collection of wastes at various designated points for accredited type of waste such as pet bottles, used electronics, back oil, weighing to determine the worth and finally the exchange of cash commensurate with the weight of the waste.

The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr.DolapoFasawe, charged community members of Itedo onthe dangers of non-degradable plastics and uncoordinated waste oil disposal, stressing that the ‘wastes’, if properly handled can be exchanged for cash and also recycled into other usable items. “ We considered it necessary at LASEPA to bring this message of Eko Clean Air to this community, following research carried out within this area. We want the people of Lagos to know that there is nothing called waste, because what is considered as waste is someone else’s treasured raw materials,” Fasawe added.

Fasawe also noted that another assessment of the air quality of the community would be conducted in the next four weeks to ascertain the impact of the eco friendly materials distributed to the residents so as to re-measure and compare with the initial result in other to determine the compliance of the residents to the friendly measures introduced.

The Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, while unveiling the Eko Clean Air project, stated it will be replicated across all the Local Government Areas of the state to improve the quality of air in Lagos State.

He added that: “This campaign is part of the THEMES Agenda of this administration, under the Health and Environment Pillar with the objective of reducing health inequality, promoting proper handling and management of waste so as to encourage healthy lifestyle, creating source of income for a lot of people and also maintaining a better and sustainable environment”

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental services, Dr.TajudeenGaji, the Commissioner commended the agency for its proactive approach towards environmental protection and further described the partners as eco-friendly organisations who are conscious of the environment and the health of Lagosians.

On his part, Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, commended the improved waste management practice noticed within the area and pleaded with the residents to continue to maintain good environmental attitude.

One of the beneficiaries of the ‘Trash for Cash’ aspect of the ‘Eko Clean Air’ project, Mrs. MonisolaAjayi-Badru could not hide her joy as she received a sum of ₦100,000 from LASEPA in exchange for some bags of pet bottles.

Ajayi-Badru, who claimed that the pet bottles were picked from the community, encouraged residents of Itedo to embrace the initiative as a way to further improve their standard of living by making money from trash.

The message of Eko Clean Air was further re-echoed with a short drama presentation by popular actor, Prince JideKosoko, who is also the ambassador for “Eko Clean Air project’ and his Group. The drama emphasised the need to embrace cooking gases as against other methods of cooking, like firewood, kerosene stove and charcoal, considering their negative effects on the environment.

Itedo Community, located Off Freedom Way, along Lekki Phase 1, is a developing community inhabited by petty traders, artisans, fishermen, farmers and school children.