By Bertram Nwannekanma
Lagos State government is to partner with the British Deputy High Commission, C40 cities and others to ensure effective ways of getting major stakeholders’ buy-in and the development of a robust policy document that will translate into a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
Addressing the validation workshop at the weekend, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, said the meeting was about prioritising 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.
Tajudeen recalled that the initial draft report was presented earlier in the year after incorporating various views, opinions and recommendations, adding that it became worthy to have a validation workshop to obtain a sign-off from the decision makers towards creating a workable action plan to drive a pilot project, which the state can duplicate and expand over time.
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 to improve the waste management system in the state.
While thanking partners from C40 Cities for facilitation of technical assistance through the Climate Action Implementation (CAI) Africa Programme, Gaji said the initiative would come handy in developing the state’s capacity to effectively implement the Lagos Climate Action Plan.
He urged all participants to actively share their insights and experiences, adding that it was only through collaborative efforts that innovative solutions to address the gaps in the waste management system could be achieved.
In a goodwill message, the Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Kris Kamponi, commended the high level of enthusiasm demonstrated by all stakeholders at the workshop.
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 had 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 could deliver between 20 to 55 percent of cities emissions reduction.
In a presentation, the consultant, Dr. Femi Adegoke, mentioned that 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 would cover generation and source segregation, collection and transportation, and disposal with diversion from landfills targets covering short, medium and long terms.
He said building on the outcome of this study, especially 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.
He called for the review of existing laws and policies in development of regulations, guidelines and standards to support source reduction of organic wastes, source separation of organic wastes, separate collection and transportation, treatment, recycling and landfill operation among others.
Source: The Guardian