Kazeem Owoseni
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that the principles of the Circular Economy are fully adopted.
Mr. Sanwo-Olu stated this on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, during the opening of the first Circular Economy Hotspot on the Continent of Africa, titled “Towards a Circular and Resourceful Economy; The Future Lagos.”
Speaking during the event that was held at Continental Hotel in Victoria Island in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said, in light of this, his government is committed to ensuring that resources are reused and reused again.
According to him, the circular economy is a model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as many times and for as long as possible.
“In a city like Lagos, we believe that this initiative will create more jobs, as additional innovative production ideas will be needed and extra manpower required to keep materials in the loop for a long time.
“Therefore, the teeming population will be profitably and sustainably engaged, expanding the philosophy for an even greater Mega City.
“The Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot 2023 is of utmost importance, not only for Lagos and Nigeria but for the entire sub-Saharan Africa.
“Developing countries like ours have contributed the least to global warming, but, are suffering the worst impacts of climate change.
“We are also at a disadvantage when it comes to having access to the resources and strategies needed to fight climate change or adapt to its impact.
“Therefore, let me make it clear that my administration is committed to ensuring that resources are reused again and again in order to minimize waste.
“Our linear approach to delivering public goods and services shall be re-evaluated and the principles of Circular Economy shall be adopted fully,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu however, stated that in December 2020, his administration had a roundtable on Circular Economy, and brought together relevant stakeholders, businesses, and citizens to begin the journey towards a resourceful and waste-free economy.
He said since the roundtable, the state’s industries, especially Small and Medium Enterprises, had been at the heart of this discussion, while the citizens and entrepreneurs had also continued the conversation on how to utilize the waste and resources in Lagos.
“To demonstrate our commitment, a technical working group on Circular Lagos was constituted in 2021 to set up project targets, coordinate and facilitate the development of Circular Lagos Projects, supporting and monitoring project implementation.
“In addition, we have established an interactive, Web-Based Citizens Engagement Dashboard, called the Wheel of Progress, which is designed to measure the level of implementation and impact of every plan/program/project of this administration, one of which is the adoption of the Circular Economy Methodology in the management of limited resources that are available for the benefit of the people.
“This event is coming at no better time, especially as the nation continues the process to free up its limited resources and optimally channel it towards addressing the different socio-economic needs of the citizens. Our administration’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth through the encouragement of sustainable consumption and production patterns cannot be over-emphasized,” the governor added.
Mr Sanwo-Olu explained that the economic and commercial activities that abounded in Lagos, as well as its major link to international businesses and the outside world, had made the state a beacon of hope and prosperity that attracts a constant influx of people which translates to a continuous growth in population.
He added that the attendant pressure on the state’s limited resources, therefore, required a deliberate shift from materialization to de-materialization.
“We believe, that it is by these indices and more that our dear State will be adjudged for compliance with SDG Goals 8, 9, and 12 on the promotion of “inclusive growth, building a resilient infrastructure,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, said this curriculum is more than just a discussion platform, but a stimulus for action.
“It is an opportunity for us to work together, innovate, and rethink how we produce, consume, and interact with our planet.
“The ideas of the circular economy, are strongly anchored in the concept of restorative practices, in which waste becomes a resource and efficiency is the rule.
“We can minimize the environmental effect, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect natural resources for future generations by implementing circular solutions.
“Throughout this program, we will look at several facets of the circular economy, such as sustainable design, environmentally friendly manufacturing, waste management, product life extension, and the importance of consumer behavior.
“We will hear from experts, participate in interactive workshops, and exchange best practices to encourage one another,” Gaji said.
However, various development partners, including the Kingdom of Netherlands, (Holland Circular Economic Hotspot), and the African Circular Economic Network, all converged on Lagos, Victoria Island during the program, to strategize on policies and programs to be implemented to sustain Circular Economy in Lagos State, by harnessing its potential of circular economy through partnerships.
The Deputy Consul-General, the Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria, Leonie Hands Still, while congratulating Lagos for being the first to host a Circular economy in Africa, stated that the Country is committed to partnering with the State, to co-design exchange Programmes focused on building Innovation hubs.
See Photos Below:
