COASTAL COMMUNITIES: LASEPA Warns Against Pollution Of Lagos Waterways 

Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has extended its campaign on clean air and a sustainable environment to Ibeshe, a coastal community in Oriade Local Council Development Area of the State, noting that the present administration will not leave any community behind in its advocacy for a better environment.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Omobolaji Gaji, spoke to residents during the advocacy, encouraging them to avoid air pollution through the burning of trees, refuse or plastics.

Gaji, represented at the event by the Director, Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Mr. Bankole Michael, added that the government encouraged people to be environmentally conscious and avoid air pollution, pointing out that pollution is not friendly to human beings and the environment.

He informed that the campaign against air pollution is in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Lagos State Health Management Authority (LASHMA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY).

The Permanent Secretary maintained that lbeshe, an island located between Amuwo-Odofin and Badagry, needs more than cursory attention considering its location between the lagoon and the sea, advising the residents to desist from inappropriate disposal of waste.

While stressing that such practices portend great danger to the health of families and the environment, he promised that the State Government will continue to educate and raise awareness on a healthy, friendly environment while encouraging the residents to embrace acceptable environmental attitudes.

The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said that the agency has deployed different strategies to internalise the message of Clean Air among all residents through the use of drama, poetry, board games and songs in an entertaining manner.

She informed that the choice of a coastal area as the location for the clean air advocacy was deliberate, considering the rising sea level which calls for serious attention and concerns from everyone around the globe.

Fasawe explained that the State Government realised that in order to curb the trend of rising sea levels, urgent attention must be paid to global warming and climate change through constant advocacy and recycling of non-degradable materials.

The General Manager added that apart from the different information and communication tools which the State Government is using to engage Lagosians, LASEPA has also introduced incentives which involve the exchange of wastes for environmental friendly-materials and cash as a way of protecting the ecosystem and by extension protecting human lives.

Appealing to residents on the proper disposal of non-degradable plastic wastes, which constitute a major bane to environmental protection and sustainability, she revealed that LASEPA is partnering with LASHMA to give health insurance to residents in exchange for bags of plastic waste.

According to her: “30 bags of used plastic bottles can qualify a family of four for a one-year free medical care under the State Health Insurance Scheme”.

The CDA Chairman of Ibeshe Community, Mr. Francis Abiodun-Gbemu, affirmed that the community members have felt the presence of government within the community through the initiative.

“The community members are now better informed and enlightened about proper management of their wastes for recycling purpose, especially for the free healthcare access for vulnerable members of the society”, he stated.

The advocacy campaign also witnessed the exchange of trash for cash and the exchange of trash for environmental friendly materials like cooking gas, reusable cups and food among others.