Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has extended its campaign on clean air and sustainable environment to Ibeshe community in Oriade Local Council Development Area of the State, saying that the State government will not leave any community behind in its advocacy for a better environment.
The Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Omobolaji Gaji, who addressed residents of Ibeshe community during the advocacy, encouraged them to also avoid air pollution through burning of trees, refuse or plastics.
Gaji added that the intention of government is to encourage people to be environmentally conscious and avoid air pollution, saying that pollution is not friendly to human being and the environment.
He informed that the advocacy campaign against air pollution is in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, such as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, ( LAWMA), Lagos State Coconut Development Authority( LASCODA), Lagos State Parks and Gardens, ( LASPARK), Lagos State Health Insurance Management Authority (LASHMA), Lagos State Water Authority (LASWA) and Lagferry.
According to the Permanent Secretary who was represented at the event by the Director, Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Mr. Bankole Michael, maintained that lbeshe, an island located between Amuwo Odofin and Badagry needs cursory attention considering its location in betwen the lagoon and the sea.
He advised the residents to desist from inappropriate disposal of wastes, stressing that the practice portends great danger for them, their children and community surrounded by water.
He promised that the State Government will continue to educate and raise awareness on healthy and friendly environment and encourage the residents to embrace acceptable environmental attitudes.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe said that the agency has deployed different strategies to internalize the message of Clean Air among all residents of the State, including using drama, poetry, board games, songs in an entertaining manner, yet depicting the message.
Display of Eko Clean Air Gas by the house wives at Ibeshe,Beach
She informed that the choice of a coastal line as the location for the clean air advocacy, was deliberate, considering the rising sea level in recent time, which according to her, calls for serious attention and concerns globally.
She stated that the State Government realized that in order to curb the trend of rising sea level, 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 had also introduced incentives which involves exchange of wastes for environmental friendly materials and cash as the case maybe among residents of different communities as a way of protecting the eco system and by extension protect human lives.
She made special request for proper disposal of non degradable plastic wastes, which she described as major bane to environmental protection and sustainability.
She explained that LASEPA is partnering with LASHMA to give health insurance to residents in exchange for bags of plastic wastes. “30 bags of used plastic bottles can qualify a family of four for one year free medical care under the State health insurance scheme.
“The message is that air pollution kills and its our activities and that of our progenitor that pollute the air. Also, global warming is real and climate change is real, if we change our mindsets and attitudes and how we treat our environments, we will have a better environment for generations to come.” she stated.
The CDA Chairman of Ibeshe Community, Mr. Francis Abiodun-Gbemu affirmed that the community members 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 health care access for vulnerable members of the society.”
The advocacy event also witnessed exchange of trash for cash and exchange of trash for environmental friendly materials like cooking gas and foods amongst others.
