By Ojugbele Omotunde
An Environmental Consultant, Dr. Femi Adegoke has emphasized on the need for the Lagos State government to formulate policies aimed at effective waste management.
Adegoke said organic waste are Municipal Solid Waste fraction and a policy focused on facilitating the reduction and management of organic waste should be put in place.
He added that this will cover generation and source segregation, collection, transportation, and disposal with diversion from landfills targets covering short, medium and long terms.
The environmental consultant, spoke at a validation workshop of the Lagos State Government partnership with the British Deputy High Commission and C40 cities, aimed at addressing critical waste management challenges in the state.
Adogoke, who is a consultant to C40 Cities, also said building on the outcome of the study, which identified gaps and needs, requires a deliberate and critical analysis of existing legislation to be carried out by the State waste regulators in conjunction with stakeholders.
In his presentation, Adegoke, called for the review of existing laws and policies in development of regulation, guideline and standards to support source reduction of organic waste, source separation of organic waste, separate collection and transportation, treatment, recycling and Landfill operation amongst others.
The goal of the partnership is to develop a robust policy framework that will not only ensure a cleaner and healthier environment but also pave the way for sustainable waste management practices.
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Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, in his speech said the meeting is about prioritizing Climate Action and reducing Green House Gas GHG emission in the waste sector, through the management of organic waste in the State.
He added that Lagos State is in extensive city engagement with C40 Cities and UK AID and has carried out a Needs and Gap Assessment for Waste Sector in the State.
Gaji said the findings of the Gaps and Needs Assessment undertaken by an environmental consultant is being laid bare at the validation workshop for more discussions and suggestions in order to improve the waste management system in the State.
“It is my expectation that this assessment will assist the State Government to successfully achieve a diversion of organic waste from landfill, create jobs from recyclables and also reduce the Greenhouse Gas Emission from the current 25% to a lower percentage ratio”, he said.
While thanking partners from C40 Cities for facilitating technical assistance through the Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Africa Programme, the Permanent Secrety informed that the initiative will help in developing the state’s capacity to effectively implement the Lagos Climate Action Plan.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Mr Kris Kamponi commended stakeholders for their high level of enthusiasm towards the project .
He added that the British Deputy High Commission is delighted to be identified with the efforts towards improving management of organic waste in Lagos State.
In his presentation, the C40 City Adviser, Maximum Ugwoke lamented that Africa has been disproportionately impacted by Climate Change.
He said Lagos is developing a Mainstreaming strategy on how to manage organic waste. Ugwoke disclosed that optimising energy use in buildings can deliver between 20 to 55 percent of cities emissions reduction.
