Experts Call On FG For Stronger Policies On Environmental Sustainability
By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
Key stakeholders in environmental sustainability in both the public and private sectors have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement more robust policies that will encourage compliance and low-emission development across the country.
This took place at the second edition of the Environmental Sustainability Conference, Expo and Awards (ECOSEA) held at Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on Thursday, December 14th, where experts and development agencies converged to bring Nigeria’s carbon footprint to the front burner.
In his welcome address, Mr Joshua Ajayi, convener of the ECOSEA event, noted that “Climate protection in the African environment, with more emphasis on Nigeria, is a nexus between private investment and public policies. We’re happy that this program is being held at the time when the COP28 conference on environmental sustainability is still fresh in our minds.”
Speaking at the conference, Consultant, Social Safeguards, World Bank Group and CEO of Transatlantic Development Ltd, Dr Bankole Allibay, stressed that the knowledge level of sustainability compliance in many Nigerian companies is still low, suggesting that there’s a need for participation policy and education by the government on all levels.
“Of course, people talk about climate change. However, the realities of the population of other African countries cannot be compared to that of Nigeria. We need a bespoke policy situation to speak to our situation,” Dr Allibay averred.
Commenting on the role of the Lagos state government in ensuring a green environment, the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Babtunde Ajayi, alluded that “the flooding we see around Lagos today is a result of the climate activities we carry out. This is why the agency is committed to ensuring that pollution is controlled and combated in Lagos, particularly in air, land and water.”
He commended the number of youths that were present for the event and applauded the organisers, noting that it means the advocacy is clear.
Also present at the event were key personnel, including the Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegbeshin; CEO of SterlingOne Foundation, Peju Ibekwe; CEO of Natural Eco Capital, Dr. Eugene Itua; Group CEO of Red For Africa Group, Ayodei Rasaq, and Senior Consultant at Precise, Funke Ogunsina.
They all spoke extensively on practical solutions to encourage a green environment, achieve low-emission development, solutions to plastic pollution, and greener manufacturing processes for industrial companies in Nigeria.
The ECOSEA is powered by Brand Communicator and Impact Reports Africa. This year’s edition welcomed corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and students from various tertiary institutions, including the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), as a means to involve the youth in deliberations centred around climate protection.