Lagos, Nigeria – In a significant move towards enhancing waste management practices, the Lagos State Government has joined forces with Jospong, a leading waste management company based in Ghana.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday. The MOU, initiated by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Agyepong, aims to establish a Material Recovery Facility that will effectively manage both solid and liquid waste in the state.
According to Kunle Adeshina, “spokesperson for the environment ministry, the Material Recovery Facility will play a crucial role in reducing the volume of waste disposed of in landfills, thus alleviating downstream pressure. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab described the MOU as a significant milestone towards transforming waste management practices in Lagos”. He emphasized that the collaboration between the Lagos State Government and Jospong Group represents a shared vision for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.
The partnership will focus on key areas, including technology adoption, advocacy, enforcement, and the promotion of circular economy innovations such as recycling, composting, reuse, and waste-to-energy projects. Dr. Joseph Agyepong, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of environmental sanitation as a cornerstone of public health, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.
In line with its commitment to tackling environmental challenges, the Lagos State government recently implemented a ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics, a move that has received applause from environmentalists. Last week, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps successfully collected and disposed of 90kg of styrofoam in various areas of the state, including Agege, Oshodi, Mushin, Fatai Atere, and Ilupeju.
The partnership between Lagos State Government and Jospong Group signifies a proactive approach in addressing waste management issues, and it is anticipated to pave the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for Lagos.