Distributes Eco-Friendly Materials, Exchanges Trash for Cash
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has unveiled an environmental project tagged: “Eko Clean Air”, with the distribution of eco-friendly materials to residents of Itedo Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the State.
In his address at the Eko Clean Air project unveiling, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the initiative will be replicated across all the Local Government Areas of the State to improve the quality of air in Lagos State.
“This campaign is part of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda of the present administration, under the Health and Environment Pillar, with the objective of reducing health inequality, improving quality of life, promoting a friendly and healthy lifestyle as well as creating a source of income for a lot of people with consideration for a better and sustainable environment”, he said.
Bello, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji, commended LASEPA for its proactive approach towards environmental protection while describing its partners on the project as eco-friendly organisations who are conscious of the environment and the health of Lagosians.
In her address, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, stated that the “Eko Clean Air” project, among others, entails the process of exchanging trash for cash and the collection of different types of wastes such as pet bottles, used electronics and black oil at various designated points.
She enlightened the community members on the dangers of non-degradable plastics and uncoordinated waste oil disposal, stressing that the wastes if properly handled, can be exchanged for cash and 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 waste is someone else’s treasured raw materials”, Fasawe added
The General Manager assured 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 as well as the effects of the advocacy.
According to her, the Eko Clean Air project was an intervention by the government and some sustainability advocate partners to address air pollution, promote a circular economy and also empower the vulnerable members of the society for sustainable development.
Key stakeholders in the waste sector, including the Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni; the Managing Director, Lagos State Lottery Board, Mr. Bashir Abiola Are; Executive Vice-President, Oando Clean Energy, Mr. Ademola Odunbanjo; Director of Sustainability and Communication, Coca-Cola Company, Amaka Onyemelukwe amongst others, pleaded with the residents to take ownership of the project while maintaining good environmental attitude.
The unveiling of the “Eko Clean Air” project by LASEPA involved the distribution of 500 cooking gas stoves with content, 400 water bottles, 400 rechargeable lights and 400 reusable use bags to community members, commissioning of a Community Borehole and exchange of pet bottles, abandoned electrical appliances and used mechanical oil, among others, for cash rewards.
One of the beneficiaries of the ‘Trash for Cash’ exercise, 71-year-old Mrs. Monisola Ajayi-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 improve their standards of living by making money from trash.
Itedo Community, located off Freedom Way, along Lekki Phase I, is a developing community inhabited by petty traders, artisans, fishermen, farmers and school children.