The Lagos State Government and a Ghana Waste Management company, JOSPONG Group, on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to treat solid and liquid in the state.
The MOU which was initialled by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resourves, Tokunbo Wahab and Executive Chairman 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 a 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.
He said it is the responsibility of government, as a steward of the city’s future, to address these challenges head-on.
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” Wahab said.
The commissioner said the two bodies would 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.
He mentioned that the collaboration would focus on the pillars of technology, advocacy, enforcement, and the promotion of circular economy innovations such as recycling, composting, reuse, and waste-to-energy projects saying these efforts are crucial to reducing the environmental footprint of waste, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development in Lagos.
He emphasized that the journey to effective and efficient waste management in the state required dedication, innovation, and collaboration, adding that when managed wisely it will contribute to the economic and environmental health of the city.
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 added that regrettably, millions of the citizens continue to suffer due to inadequate access to infrastructure, proper sanitation facilities, and water treatment facilities.
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 ie. 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 Association of Waste Managers in Lagos on waste collection.
He added that the collaboration would be done with the Lagos State Government, through its parastatals: Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO); with the aim to see an overall improvement in waste management in Lagos State.
In a goodwill message, the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Kunle Rotimi-Akodu commended the state Governor for approving the project saying it will make the state more cleaner.
Akodu added that, if well carried out, it would open more opportunities for the JOSPONG group in Nigeria.
Earliet in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Omobolaji Gaji, noted that Lagos as the commercial nerve center of Nigeria experiences influx of migrants with consequences like over-population, increasing environmental pollution, 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 fruits of our collaboration, for a clean and healthier Lagos” Gaji 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.
PIC 9986
L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Environmental Parastal, Hon Adebola Shabi, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon Olanrewaju Afinnih, Hon. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Executive Chairman Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Agyepong, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, and Special Adviser on Taxation, Hon. Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo during the signing of the Memoradum of Agreement(MOU)
between Lagos State Government and Jospong Group for Effective and Efficient Waste Management in Lagos State held in the Conference room of the Ministry on the 26th of February 2024.
PIC 9953
L-R: Chief legal Officer, Jospong Group of Companies, Mrs Gloria Boafo, Executive Director of the processing Cluster, Jospong Group of Companies, Mr Haidar Said, Executive Chairman Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Agyepong, Hon. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab,and Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji
during the signing of the Memoradum of Agreement(MOU)
between Lagos State Government and Jospong Group for Effective and Efficient Waste Management in Lagos State held in the Conference room of the Ministry on the 26th of February 2024.
