....as both organisation partners for circular economy
The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, as received a
donation of 100 smart bins from Lee Group of Companies Limited at the agency’s
headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, during a courtesy visit by the company. Both
organisations have also agreed to partner to promote circular economy.
Speaking on the purpose of visit, the operations manager of the
company, Abiola Akerele, noted that the company operated a recycling plant and
required the agency’s support for its accreditation, adding that the company
had previously purchased LAWMA’s smart bins, which it distributed to residents
as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative for a cleaner Lagos
city.
He further spoke of plans to procure an additional 100 smart bins, which they would like LAWMA to help distribute to schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to support the state’s recycling effort and the broader circular economy initiative.
In his remarks, Managing Director of the company, Tunji Lawal
Solarin, disclosed that the visit and donation were inspired by a recent
interview granted by the LAWMA managing director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin,
noting that: “The interview struck a chord in us and resonated with us. We are
100 per cent committed to a cleaner environment to ensure that LAWMA achieves
its goal of making Lagos cleaner. It is in our own interest to do that. We felt
there is a need for more communication, discussion, and stakeholder engagement,
not just for formality’s sake.”
He stressed the need for attitude change and genuine partnerships,
adding that plans were afoot to build a circular economic infrastructure in
Lagos State, achievable through partnership. He pledged the company’s willingness
to collaborate on LAWMA’s initiative to develop collection centres across the
state.
Responding, Dr. Gbadegesin expressed heartfelt appreciation for
the donation, noting that the partnership was both timely and encouraging. “I
appreciate that someone is listening, which makes this heartwarming for me.
Today is a good day for me because I can see some of the seeds have borne
fruit”.
“LAWMA’s vision is for every household in Lagos to have at least
two bins, one for recyclables and the other for general waste. However,
considering the population density, we plan to have more communal recycling bins
and collection centres strategically placed, particularly around marketplaces,
to collect recyclables. This approach will help minimise the need for
landfills, which pose environmental and health risks, and ultimately reduce
their negative impact on our ecosystem and residents’ well-being,” he stressed.
Speaking further, he urged the company to remain committed to
the circular economy initiative, while assuring them of LAWMA’s full support,
noting that there was a lot of opportunities in circular economy, as it was
worth two and a half billion dollars annually, to be unlocked by the private
sector.
According to him, “Lagos is densely populated, and people are
generating items of value across different waste characterisation chains. Our
own idea is to have community recycling centres where they can bring the
different items and educate them, and we can now aggregate the materials and
transport them to where they would be used.”
Also, in attendance at the meeting were LAWMA’s Executive
Director, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi; General Manager of Lee Group, Niyi Shogbamu; Head
of Circular Economy and Waste Management at Lee Group, Faluyi Ibukun and
members of LAWMA’s management team.
Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
02/05/2025.
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