Wife of Lagos state governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has joined the advocacy for a sustainable environment with a call on residents to embrace the “Sanwo Switch To Gas Project”, initiated by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, for a safer and healthier environment.
She made the call at the launch of “Sanwo Switch To Gas Project”, organized by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, at Elegbata Sports Complex, Lagos Island on Saturday.
The SS2G is part of the ‘Trash for Cash’ initiative from LASEPA where residents get cash, food produce, Health insurance cowry card and gas cylinder from the government in exchange for plastic wastes, unserviceable and abandoned electrical appliances, used or black oil.
Dr Sanwo Olu, who said that she was delighted to identify with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) for the flag off the “Sanwo Switch To Gas Project” at Lagos Island, said that the initiative, is in line with the commitment of the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to ensure sustainable management of the environment.
According to her, “This project, which is an offshoot of the Eko Clean Air Initiative, was launched in 2022 to encourage an attitudinal change and promote a paradigm shift from wood and kerosene stoves to cleaner and more sustainable energy for improved Air Quality in Lagos State, thereby making a measurable impact in Climate Change.
“As a Medical Doctor, I have an appreciable knowledge of the nexus between health and the environment. This is why the second pillar of the THEMES Agenda is focused on health and the environment.”
The Governor’s wife made reference to a study carried out by the World Bank in 2021, where it was revealed that air pollution was empirically adjudged to be responsible for most premature deaths annually with children below the age of 5 as the most demographically affected.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu explained that the SSG Project is specifically targeted at ensuring emissions from various cooking and other solid and fossil fuels dependent processes are reduced and phased out where reasonably practicable, whilst returning value to the pockets of residents and improving the overall quality of life.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that the Lagos State government is proud to introduce to the Lagos Island Community an inclusive approach and intervention mechanism to the various myriad environmental issues.
” This program, is put together to further reward those who embrace circular and sustainable processes in their every day activity, and provide a cleaner alternative for cooking as against the use of firewood, charcoal and kerosene stoves.
” Also to reiterate the ban on open air burning amongst others. We therefore encourage appropriate handling of various domestic, commercial and industrial wastes through the newly introduced incentivized initiatives “Eko Clean Air’’ and ‘’Trash for Cash”.”
The Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environment, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji GAJI, disclosed that ‘’Sanwo Switch To Gas’’ initiative cuts across the 57 LGAs/LCDAs of Lagos State, having been implemented in areas like Itedo Community in Lekki Phase 1, Ibeshe, an Island of Oriade LCDA and Ikorodu Town in the year 2022.
General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe said that the idea of ‘’Sanwo Switch To Gas’’ was informed by the need to take decisive and deliberate plans about the health of Lagosians and the environment.
She pleaded with participants at the event to cultivate the habit of re-using non-degradable plastics and proper management of wastes.
