The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has commemorated the 2021 World Clean-up Day, along with a network of corporate bodies NGOs and governmental organizations, during which 75000 plastic bottles, weighing 1,250 kilogrammes, was harvested, along a 5-kilometre distance of Ilashe/Ibeshe beach, in the outskirts of Lagos.

Organizations at the event include: Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, FIBRA, an umbrella body for about twenty food and beverage manufacturing companies. Others are Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Nigerian Ports Authority and Lagos Ferry Service among others.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni noted that LAWMA was using the opportunity of the World Clean-up Day, to open up the entire Ilashe Island shoreline to proper clean up, urging residents and beach users, to come together and make a difference, by leaving an enduring legacy of people-friendly environment, for improved living and economic prosperity.

According to him, “The idea of the World Clean-up Day came up in 2018 when nearly two million volunteers, across individuals, corporate bodies, NGOs and governmental organizations, came together for massive clean-up activities in major cities across the world. We are setting the pace here in Ilashe Island of Lagos for our country. So, I enjoin all residents to sustain this effort”

“LAWMA is not leaving any stone unturned in our determined effort to rid Lagos State of all forms of solid waste. Our Marine Unit is effectively evacuating marine debris around the Lagos waterways and we will continue to increase the scope of our activities”, he concluded

Also speaking, the President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAN), Mr. David Oriyomi, noted that it was important to educate residents of the aquatic environment, on the effects of dumping rubbish into the water, because the fishes feed on those rubbish and we in turn feed on the fishes which is very dangerous to our health.

Chairman of Lagos Recyclers’ Association, Dr. Femi Idowu, noted that, what people see as trash, is actually money, suggesting that people should see the economic value in waste materials.

The programme was attended by the Special Adviser to the governor on Tourism, Hon. Solomon Bonu, management and staff of LAWMA, general manager LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, executive secretary FIBRA, Ms. Arase Aghareva and NIMASA representative, Mr. McDennis Igbo, among others.

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