The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has pledged full technical support to Kogi State, in its efforts to establish a robust waste management system.
Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, gave the assurance while receiving the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye and his team, who came on a fact-finding visit to LAWMA and its facilities.
Odumboni assured Kogi of the agency’s full support as Kogi moved to set up a proper waste management structure in the interest of its environment, the people and visitors.
The LAWMA boss noted that the visit offered an opportunity for them to witness the waste management processes and innovative ideas being adopted by the Authority, to help with waste management in the state.
He hinted on LAWMA’s next move to launch an educational initiative tagged “LAWMA Academy”.
The purpose of the academy is to transfer waste management knowledge to the younger generation.
He advised Kogi state to explore the idea of setting up recycling clubs in schools and similar programmes,to lay a solid foundation for waste management.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye, expressed gratitude to the authority.
He informed that the purpose of the visit was towas to tap into LAWMA’s vast experience, which had made it a global brand.
Omafaiye noted that environment was a gift from God, which required collective preservation, adding that the level of achievement attained by Lagos State in environmental sustainability did not just happen overnight.
He said the essence of the visit was to discover LAWMA’s secrets.
While addressing the team, the Chief Technical Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Olohunwa Tijani, listed generation, collection and disposal as the key components of waste management process in any geographical location.
He stressed that proper management of those components were essential to having an effective waste management system.
He added that to achieve a goal of a cleaner and healthier state, waste management system should be purpose-driven and devoid of political interference.
LAWMA’s Assistant General Manager, Waste Management Development, Dr. Essien Nsuabia, spoke on waste minimization techniques, highlighting the importance of studying human activities in a particular geographical location, for the formation of effective waste management plans and policies.
He shared his experience as part of the LAWMA team sent to Sierra Leone, to help establish a solid waste structure for the country.
The team, in the course of their visit, embarked on a tour of some of the Authority’s facilities such as the engineering section, where LAWMA engineers fabricate double dino bins for waste containerization, Olusosun dumpsite, and others, for first-hand assessment.
