The Lagos Waste Management Authority,
(LAWMA), and the state's Ministry
of the Environment, have paid a field visit to Polysmart,
a wholly indigenous multimillion-dollar plastic recycling facility,
located in Aiyetoro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to
explore areas of partnership, towards solving plastic pollution challenge
in the state and across the country.
The firm which began production in 2021, is into complete
recycling of used plastic bottles, from collection to the production of
six million food-grade pet bottles on daily basis.
Speaking during the facility tour of the factory, the
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the establishment of that firm was a dream come through, in
actualization of the uncommon diligence and determination of the management
team of the firm.
He said," This is a
strong indicator that LAWMA is making all best possible efforts at
ensuring plastic pollution is tackled in the state and here we are with Polysmart. I could remember
vividly the day I met with the MD and we discussed on the possibility of having
a collection system for solid waste. I must commend you and your team for your
resilience".
"In a state where we have about 12 million of used plastic, if
Polysmart collects 7 million on a daily basis, gradually, plastic pollution
will go off and we will have a plastic-free environment. That
is why LAWMA is advocating the two-bin system for the collection of waste and
sorting of recyclables", he stressed.
Odumboni however challenged the firm to work with LAWMA Academy, to
boost knowledge of waste management among the children and youth in the
state.
Also Speaking, the permanent secretary of the Office of Environmental
Services of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,
Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, expressed delight in the company's initiative,
stressing that the emergence of Polysmart will no doubt help the
ministry and LAWMA to provide a lasting solution to plastic pollution epidemic
in Lagos State.
In his words, " This is a testament that some people still believe
so much in Nigeria and to see this coming from a Nigerian, it is a great motivation. From all that have been said and seen, it
is obvious that this will curb the deposition of plastics in our drainage
channels and the environment. It will serve as a source of income as well as
employment for people, who will be involved in the sorting and collection
process.
While pledging his support to the company, Gaji also promised that
the Lagos State government will work with other stakeholders to support the company's vision.
The Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Wasiu Balogun, who conducted the
visitors round the facility noted that the firm was established
with the primary aim of solving the plastic mess and for employment generation.
He disclosed that the facility, which is the first of its kind in
Africa, would have a daily requirement of about 7 million used bottles, for non-stop running of the plant, which he disclosed, was
wholly coupled by Nigerian engineers and technicians, without foreign
assistance.
Balogun promised total cooperation with LAWMA and the state government,
to increase the cost per kilogram of used plastic, harvested
by households in the state and beyond.
The field visit involved the entire LAWMA management team, including the
executive director of finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi.
Folashade Kadiri
Director, Public Affairs
LAWMA
18th April 2023
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