By Adeola Ogunlade
As part of the effort toward to ensure sustainable living condition for local communities in Lagos, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in partnership with Centre for 21st Century (C21st) have embarked on strategic initiatives and interventions aimed at achieving a livable community, enhancing quality of life, and increasing their earning potential.
The event brought together community leaders, market leaders, youth and women leaders, business operators, healthcare workers, environmental sanitation workers, youth Corp members and staff of the local council were in attendance.
The issues discussed focused on the Waste management and its potential for reduction of carbon emissions, clean air, reduction in pollution activities, proper husbandry and tree planting.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Hammed Tijani, the essence of hosting the interactive session is to keep acquainting the people on why and in what areas they need to reduce emissions within their locality.
He said “We had to invite community stakeholders to sensitize them on our action plan, so they are on the same page with the LCDA. This will ensure they can go back home to continue sensitizing their people, so they know the things they need to do to mitigate the effect of carbon emissions on the society”.
“The number of participants gives us an assurance that there will be a positive ripple effect as we had a huge turn-out. Those who attended can take the messages home, educate their neighbours and friends, and ensure trickle down to the grassroots”.
Tijani stressed that indiscriminate dumping of refuse is not acceptable.
“One campaign we have embarked on is the ‘Environmental Sensitization’. This is where we engage the LCDA’s environmental officers to go round sensitizing the people on proper waste management. After this comes enforcement to ensure that residents fully understand and appreciate the seriousness, we attach to this. However, our major goal is sensitization so the community people can develop a sense of responsibility towards waste disposal”, says Tijani.
On refuse collection, the LCDA Boss reiterated that perceptions were changing. “Not too long ago, there was this perception that we didn’t need to pay for waste disposal. But through continuous advocacy, we at the LCDA are changing that perception. PSP Operators are private companies and if they are not paid, they will not be able to operate and give us optimum ser
Earlier in her words, the Executive Director of C21st, Ms Titi Akosa, stressed that residents within the community need to understand that why waste management can be a net-zero activity, it also has economic and health benefits.
“These benefits can be derived from sorting your waste, separating plastics and putting them into a separate bin for recycling, which can earn money. Another benefit is that using a waste bin for the Private Sector Participants (PSP) to remove, the environment is cleaner and residents, including children are less prone to health risks” she said.
Akosa, stated that strategies have already been put in place to ensure that the outcomes of the awareness campaign would be implemented. She added that Civil society play a crucial role in safeguarding against potential infringement, on citizens right and gender disparity as well as protecting public health in pursuits of net zero actions. She said ‘through strategic collaboration, Civil society groups can provide feedback about the real effect on society on net zero related policies and hold government accountable on actions and inactions that could affect negatively impact citizens during the transition climate change.