THE United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has recognised Ogun State, as one of the core states under Project 220145 Component 2, tasked with the responsibility of advancing Nigeria’s Green and Just Transition to Zero Net through Circular Economy, due to its previously accepted Circular Economy programmes.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya said the recognition reflects the state government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and readiness to champion innovative approaches that promotes resource efficiency, water reduction, recycling, recovery and green economic growth.

He made the announcement when he declared open the UNIDO Workshop on State Level Implementation Plan and Guidelines on Data Collection and Management under the Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment (OGREE) Waste Management Project in Abeokuta

According to him, the UNIDO’s  recognition and Workshop on State Level Implementation Plan and Guidelines on Data Collection and Management under OGREE Waste Management adds to the various achievements in various climate change programmes and circular economy projects with the latest the collaboration between the state and the Federal Government on Biomass Smokeless Stoves distribution to over 3,000 residents of the state, as part of the adaptation of mitigation strategy to reduce the carbon footprint as well as economic relief for the high cost of cooking gas.

“Aside this, the state government was one of the first in the country to adopt and launched thousands of Electric Bikes and Compressed Natural Gas CNG Buses, which offered eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles over-reliance on fossil fuel thereby reducing carbon emission, which aligns perfectly with its Energy Transition Road Map for a cleaner and healthier environment.

“The state government has also in the recent past championed “Blue Box Initiative” that focused on house-to-house waste segregation, which promotes circular economy by creating wealth through it” Plastic For Cash” aspects that combats pollution, as well as embarked on Community Recycling Projects, Cement Industries Decarbonisation Projects and Senitorial Material Recovery among others.”

Oresanya therefore charged participants of the workshop who are drawn from various  government agencies, technical partners, the private sector, the academia, and Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, ask questions and contribute meaning fully towards achieving the objectives of the programme as he  appreciated UNIDO on behalf of the government and people of the state for its unwavering support and technical leadership in implementing the transformative Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment OGREE Waste Management Project.

Responding, the National Field Coordinator of UNIDO Nigeria Office, Ms Emem Umana commended the Ogun State government on its various circular economic projects and encourage her not to relent on her social-economic and environmental strides which have earned her international recognition.