Lagos tackles dumping of refuse on wetlands, canals
03 June 2021 |
3:03 am
Lagos State Government, yesterday, advised residents to desist from using refuse to reclaim wetlands and dumping of waste into drainage channels to ensure a safer, cleaner and flood-freer environment in the state.
[FILES] Heaps of refuse at the foot of the bridge at Toyota Bus Stop
Lagos State Government, yesterday, advised residents to desist from using refuse to reclaim wetlands and dumping waste into drainage channels to ensure a safer, cleaner and flood-freer environment in the state.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave advice at a campaign on wetland and biodiversity conservation for residents in Lagos West Senatorial District, at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
At the event attended by traditional and community leaders as well as secondary school pupils from the district, Bello said the campaign was necessary to change the environmental behaviour of Lagosians, especially during the rainy season.
He said the state government was desirous of involving and committing members of various communities as main stakeholders to protect wetlands within their environment.
Bello, who spoke through the Special Adviser on Drainage Services, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the campaign, tagged ‘We are Part of the Solution for Nature,’ was aimed at educating residents on the need to look after wetlands and take care of nature.
Expressing sadness over encroachments on wetlands in Iju, Ejigbo, Badagry, Ikorodu, Itoikin, Orugbo and others, the commissioner said the government was in the process of reviewing a draft wetland policy in the state and boosting enforcement or other relevant environmental laws.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental Services, Mrs. Aderonke Odeneye, said it was important, as communities and as a people, to do more to preserve nature and protect wetlands from further encroachment.
She revealed that the ministry had also embarked on identification and categorisation of wetlands in the state on a consultancy basis, as a follow-up to update identification done in 2009.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Olalekan Shodeinde, stated that wetlands are natural habitations provided by God which value could not be replaced by money.
He said wetlands retain water during the rainy season to prevent floods, adding that they are part of the land that is green and never go dry throughout the year.
In his lecture, the guest lecturer from the Department of Zoology & Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, LASU, Prof. Abiodun Denloye, insisted that wetlands should be properly preserved for humanity.
He called for actions at both private and government levels to collaborate with research and educational institutions to sustain the reclamation of some wetlands in the state.
At the event, students of Iba Housing Estate Secondary School, Iba, presented a drama on the importance of protecting wetlands and the environment.
Related
3 hours ago
The New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), on Thursday, declared its readiness for reconciliation with former members who have expressed a desire to rejoin the party. NNPP also debunked the claims made by some expelled individuals who announced the suspension of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State for attending the NNPP national convention. The Acting…
3 hours ago
In response to disruptions sparked by recent haulage rate announcements for Eastern Ports, the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) has agreed to schedule a stakeholder meeting to renegotiate the rates. This, according to NSC will serve as a platform where robust consultation and decisive action would be taken to ease the stress of port users. Emerging…
4 hours ago
Landmark Group said the Lagos State government is yet to consult it on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction and beach sand filling. Landmark made this disclosure in a statement on Thursday and said the issue of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road passing through Landmark Beach remains a topic of wide-reaching discourse. The Group said it wants…
5 hours ago
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Hassan Dada, has expressed concern about the high number of weapons in unauthorized hands in Nigeria.
5 hours ago
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has secured an exparte injunction restraining further action on his purported suspension as member of the party. In an exparte motion granted by Federal high Court in Kano, Wednesday, Justice A. U Liman ordered the purported suspension of Ganduje as member of the…
6 hours ago
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday declared former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello wanted. The EFCC is prosecuting Bello over an allege money laundering of N80.2billion. The former governor was absent in court earlier today when the EFCC arraigned him. Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest…
7 hours ago
President Bola Tinubu has approved system-wide policies to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to improve learning and skill development, increase enrolment, and ensure the academic security of the nation's children. The approved policies are captured as DOTS, an acronym representing: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development, and Skill Development & Acquisition. According…
7 hours ago
Some Directors of agencies under the Ministry of Aviation who were recently relieved of their appointments have dragged the federal government to an industrial court. They said their appointments were statutory and should be allowed to finish their tenure The complainants in separate suits filed by their lawyer, Patrice Akwara prayed to be reinstated or…
8 hours ago
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the application by a former Anambra State Governor, Willie Maduabuchi Obiano which sought to quash the N4billion money laundering charges brought against him by the federal government. The Judge in a ruling delivered on Thursday faulted and rejected all grounds upon which…
9 hours ago
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and others to honour the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Fagbemi also hit out at Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, for obstructing the EFCC from arresting his successor, Bello…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.