Eko Clean Air: Lagos Advocates Circularity, Environmental Sustainability

Lagos State Government has expressed commitment to building the foundation of a circular economy in the state as well as advocating for environmental sustainability.

Mr Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, stated this in Lagos while delivering a keynote address at the official unveiling of the “Eko Clean Air” project at Itedo community.

Represented by Dr Tajudeen Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Environmental Services, Bello said that he was excited to bring the advocacy on circularity and environmental sustainability to Itedo community in Lekki.

He said that the advocacy was a very clear and important sentiment expressed across multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goals, under the states localised initiative, with the theme “Eko for Clean Air”.

While citing the UN Environment Programme, Bello said that environmental sustainability through a circular economy involved making life choices that ensured an equal, if not better way of life for future generations.

While citing the World Bank and World Health Organisation, Bello noted that air pollution was considered a major environmental and health threat with an increasing economic burden.

According to him, the worst impacts of air pollution are felt in our informal and small-scale industries as well as our most vulnerable populations.

The commissioner said that the state, in its bid to combat environmental pollution and encourage sustainable development, has charged LASEPA with the responsibility of setting and enforcing environmental standards.

He added that LASEPA was also vested with the responsibility of adopting a proactive approach to environmental protection, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring that all state’s environmental resources are consumed in a sustainable manner.

He said that ensuring a seamless interface with communities and adopting a truly granular approach by adapting global best standards on circularity and sustainability to the unique Lagos ecosystem is a key expected outcome.