WASTE MANAGEMENT IN LAGOS STATE-YABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES A WASTE BANK

On the 25^th of September 2012,stakeholders with major interest in combating climate change  especially in the area of waste management came together to launch a waste bank and educate people of Yaba local government.The residents of the local government were told about the importance of separating their waste and how this can result in wealth creation for the community and help protect the environment .

With the collaboration of stakeholders in the community, this initiative is the second of its kind in Lagos state, the first one is in Amuwo Odofin Local government of Lagos, the local government provided the land, CCDI (Community Conservation Development Initiatives) came up with the idea and LAWMA (Lagos State Waste Management Authority) provided the waste bank.

The waste bank was provided to create an avenue for residences to separate their waste, recycle and create wealth , in attendance was the local government chairman, Hon. Olajide Jimoh , officials from LAWMA, CCDI staff, community leaders and residents of Yaba local government, the Chairman described this as a joint relationship for development he stated “we have what we call joint relationship for development and for progress of this country and Lagos state”. 

The waste bank is a ground breaking initiative because apart from creating wealth by recycling, the habit of dumping waste in the drainages or on the street can be curbed, the bank will serve as a store for glass, paper, can and plastic ,the residents of the local government were shown how to make use of the waste bank ,and the LAWMA official Mrs. Adeyo, explained that when the bank is filled up, there will be a periodic plan to empty the waste and take the waste for recycling , she further explained  that there is a recycling plant situated at the Olusosun Landfill site at Ojota in Lagos ,this is where these wastes are converted to useful items like nylon bags for disposing waste.

I think this is a great initiative that needs to be applauded, for more information on recycling in Lagos state please visit: http://www.lawma.gov.ng/.

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WASTE MANAGEMENT-YABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES A WASTE BANK(IMAGES)

  

Yaba local government residents

The waste Bank

The chairman of Yaba LCDA Hon. Jide Jimoh  addressing the residents

TRULY, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME

In the wake of the current eviction given to the Makoko people last month, I decided to visit Makoko, as a blogger I felt I needed to visit Makoko, so I headed to the popular Makoko street in Yaba with a friend, as we drove down the street, I looked around and the look on people’s faces were that of apprehension, distrust and I felt wow! No strangers allowed, so we turned and headed out…..,I felt disappointed because I didn’t achieve my goal, I wanted to talk to residents and hear their views on the recent  eviction  by the Lagos state government, on my way home, I asked myself ,why should they trust anyone? 

In every society the government is meant to protect its citizens, and the Lagos state government has stated that the safety of the lives of the Makoko resident is a key factor, the rise in sea level; increase in amount of rain fall as a result of climate change poses a great danger to people living on the Lagoon.

As I ponder on this, the word climigration comes to mind- Migration forced by climate change, despite my effort to find a name for the situation in Makoko I feel the word “climigration” cannot fully grasp the Makoko situation, because I feel there is more to the  Makoko issue than climate change ,and when people are asked to leave their homes, the people must be assisted to stand on their feet economically and be able to provide for themselves, this is to make sure that the impact to displacement is minimal without this, we open doors for criminal activities and this is counter productive to the sustainable development of the society.

The government has promised to provide basic amenities for the people of Makoko; the governor stated “We are working to provide water, schools, libraries and so on for you. But those who have just come must leave. That is the reality.” He further stated that: “We have land in other parts of the state that are close to water, so if communities want to apply for land, we will give them land; but you cannot build on the lagoon”

 I hope these promises will become a reality and the people of Makoko will smile again, because truly there is no place like home……

@greenernaija

FUEL EFFICIENT STOVE DEMONSTRATION AT YABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The fuel efficient stoves demonstration held at the Yaba local government of Lagos on the 25th of July 2012,served as an enlightenment for the women in the local government  on how one can use fuel efficient stoves, in attendance at the demonstration were commercial food sellers ,and regular individuals who use stoves in their homes.

It is a known fact that Nigeria is faced with the challenges of deforestation especially In the Northern part of Nigeria where almost all the tree are gone as a result of excessive use of firewood.

The coordinating NGO –CCDI stressed the advantage of using these stoves to help reduce deforestation, curbs the health hazards associated with using firewood as a result of heavy smoke, reduces communal clashes etc.

The fuel efficient stoves came in various sizes and their prize ranges from N17,000 to N3,500,so depending on one’s income ,there are options to  choose from, although the women were optimistic about using these stoves, some of them had these questions to ask?

Are the stoves readily available?

Can some of them afford these stoves?

Can commercial food vendors use these stoves?

For the purchase and enquiries about these stoves please call these numbers: 08037080251, 08035063456.

Olaleye Taiwo-@greenernaija

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH,POPULATION GROWTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change has been an issue that remains on the lips of stakeholders, activist, environmentalist etc. The notion is that population growth affects the climate, but how true is this?
According to the United Nation in 1998,world population will be between 2 and 4 billion more people by 2040.overpopulation is known to be a major cause of increase in global gas emission, efforts towards green energy sources ,reduction in global emission of carbon dioxide will only yield maximum result if population grows steadily and stabilizes.

There is a huge difference in the population growth of developed nations and developing Nations, Developed nations contribute a higher percentage to global emission of green house gases and at the same time their population growth is not as high as the developing nations that contribute a smaller percentage to the emission of these harmful gases.

This puts a question mark on premise that population growth affects the climate, but the truth remains that the continued increase in population increases the demand for these sources of energy, increases deforestation and other human activities that affects the environment.

It is true that the poorest countries that would be most affected by the effects of climate change, making children and women most vulnerable, and if there is a possible link between population growth and climate change, how do you educate an uneducated African man that believes he needs to have more children because his wife is yet to give him a male child? How do you discourage child marriage and empower the women to make the right choice about their reproductive health?

All these question begs for answers and shows the challenge climate change poses has so many faces to it and requires an all round solution, it shows that the solution lies in the hand of stakeholders and individuals, to the stake holders we need good education, proper health care, infrastructures and to individuals we need to make more informed choices and realize that our choices affects not only our environment but the future generation.

For: greenernaija
Olaleye Taiwo

"EKO ONI BAJE OOO"

Being an advocate for environment protection will open your eyes to current issues that affect our environments so we can take decisive actions that will make our environment sustainable (making it safer for the future generation).

Lagos as we know it is surrounded by water and this makes this city very unique and remains the pride of Nigeria, Lagos serves as the commercial nerve center of Nigeria accounting for over 60% Nigeria’s income, Lagos is precious and we love it, it is a land of opportunity where fresh graduates troops to in order to make a living, but imagine if we wake up one day and there is no Lagos anymore, its not surprising to note that Lagos is just about 7meters(22 feet) above sea level ,this makes Lagos probe to flooding and rise in sea level, The island of Kiribati is just about 4 m (13 ft) above sea level and its inhabitants are being forced to relocate due to flooding and rise in sea level.

The realities of global warming includes ice melting, flooding, and erosion, increased storm all these affecting human settlements and our  seemingly harmless human activities  has contributed to the rise in sea level cutting down trees, burning bushes  all in the name of urban development. Buildings have taken over where we are supposed to have trees and we fall tress without bothering to plant another.

I see Lagos with a sustainable environment, free from the effect of climate change, with citizens sensitive enough to protect their environment from harm. Spread the word

Thank you. #sm4cc

Olaleye Taiwo-@greenernaija

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY-GREEN ECONOMY-DOES IT INCLUDE YOU?

World Environment was celebrated worldwide on the 5^TH OF June 2012,this year’s World Environment day was tagged-GREEN ECONOMY-DOES IT INCLUDE YOU? This brings us to the basic question of how  individuals are contributing to having a sustainable environment.

There was no activity by the Lagos state government in Lagos this year to celebrate this year’s World Environment because of the Dana Air crash that happened over the weekend in Lagos. The Commissioner of Environment Mr. Tunji Bello said the decision to cancel the event was to honour the victims of the Dana Air plane crash, and to comply with the cancellation of all state events in order to commiserate with the families and relations of the deceased. (Punch Nigeria)- May the souls of the departed rest in peace (Amen)

It is on this note that I give you these few tips on how we as individuals can create a more sustainable environment.

1.    Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room, this is to save energy

2. Buy energy efficient appliances
3. Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth to conserve water

4.    Take short showers instead of tub baths, this is to conserve water

5.    Buy rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones. This is also to save energy

6.    Buy only things that you and your family really needs.

7.    Clear your drainage to ensure free flow of water when it rains.

8.    Avoid dumping wastes in the drainage.

9.    Plant trees when you build your houses, help to reduce green house gases in the atmosphere.

10.                       Take a walk to short distances instead of driving your car.

Olaleye taiwo-@greenernaija

“I BETTER PASS MY NEIGHBOUR”

It is no longer news that the Nigerian economy is mostly powered by generators, no matter how small a business is in Nigeria, it must be a proud owner of the popular “I better pass my neighbor” generator, even a one-room apartment must have a generator but apart from the negativity this has for Nigeria’s economy, what about the effects the exhume fumes from generator has on our environment and health?

These fumes contain gases that contribute to global warming. Global warming leaves us with nothing but Extreme weather conditions, Health problems associated with extreme weather condition, Increase in malaria as a result of warm weather which breeds more mosquitoes, respiratory problems etc.

I stay awake at night and am afraid to open my windows at night because of the fumes from my neighbor’s generators, and I wonder when did it get this bad? Nations have been successful with alternative and cleaner sources of energy and I wonder why we cannot adopt such safer means of generating power.

This is 2012 and we are yet to get our acts together, if a nation as small as Ghana can boast of constant power supply, then I wonders why Nigeria cannot, this makes me ask the question, are we really better than our neighbors? As at 2011 Nigeria ranked 156 out of 187 countries on the United Nations -Global Human Development Index, while Ghana ranked 135. Nigeria ranked low on life expectancy, literacy, education, standard of living etc

On a final note, a nation’s well being is beyond the economy or the GDP; it is about the human development and sustainable development.

Olaleye Taiwo @greenernaija #sm4cc

Engage us,Empower us and Resource us- YABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PERSPECTIVE

UNFCC COP 15 was held at Copenhagen in 2009,more than 1200 local governments representative from 250 cities all over the world came together and their message was simple: do not underestimate our voice as local elected leaders ,our willingness and power to act and our ability to mobilize.we are government leaders representing billions of people in our communities who have long demanded action.Engage us,empower us and resource us:include us in agreements in our common fight against climate change.

According to the book: Mobilizing local government for climate action-raising awareness and building capacity by Community Conservation and Development Initiative ,yaba local government was assessed based on these issues.transport ,sea level rise, public health,fuel efficiency stove, waste management, enegy efficiency in buildings,food security and urban agiculture,urban greening and open space,waste management and eco budget etc

It is expedient to note that all these issues were extensively discussed at a workshop held by Community Conservation and Development Initiative,and one of the recommendations that  was made was that communication and coordination between the state government,its parastatal and local government must be improved .Local government should be more involved in decision making about state government and parastal activity within  the their community .

Yaba local government has some limitation for instance on transportation such as rail and jetty comes under the control of the federal and state government and this  limits the LG regarding income generation.

There is a need for public private partnership to construct a jetty within the local government specifically in Makoko .Assistance in fish farming ,purchase of boats and fishing gears and credit facility is also needed.This will help the local government generate more fund .

As i take a look some of these issues bothering on climate change in Yaba local government,i feel there is a need to echo the words of these community leaders at  Copenhagen 2009.Yaba local government needs to be empowered in order for the fight agianst climae change to be won at the grass roots level.
''Engage us,empower us and resource us''.

OLALEYE TAIWO- @greenernaija

QUESTIONS THAT NEEDS ANSWERS

The adverse effect of climate change on poor communities like Makoko community in yaba local government can only be imagined, This brings us to the question,how equipped is the local government in mitigating the effects of climate change on this community? Is there a way of securing the livelihood of these people? Is there a form of disaster management put in place in time of disaster? Are there ways of ensuring that health care services are readily available in these community?These are some of the questions we hope to answer in the course of using social media to create awareness about climate change.

The Rio+20  conference is coming up soon in Brazil and I believe more emphases will be laid on how local governments can make more impact at the grassroots level, this conference will focus on seven critical issues like jobs, energy, cities, food ,water, ocean and disaster.

In dealing with each of these issues, certain questions must be asked. Will there be considerable commitment on the part of government to help the local communities and local government officials combat  climate change in their own unique way?Will there be greater commitment in engaging the youth in local communities in combating climate change?

These are some of the questions that begs for answers and I hope rio+20 will have them.

Olaleye Taiwo @greenernaija #sm4cc #rio+20

DRAINAGES

I went to a particular street in yaba Local government of Lagos and this is what  some of the drainages looks like. The rainy season is here  and we cannot afford to have drainages blocked with all sorts of dirts,drainages that  breeds mosquitoes and causes havoc to our health.Lagos! our environment is important,Let us keep it clean. #sm4cc @greenernaija

LAGOS! STOP! WAIT! AND THINK…

Recently I lost my grandmother and I travelled with my family to the village for her burial, after being away from my family for about ten years, I didn't know what to expect but one thing I was looking forward to was to go to the river behind my grandparent’s house, I was eager to show my friends the river I grew up knowing but unfortunately when I got there, it was gone! The river had dried up! It was completely gone it was unbelievable that all I could do was stare at the empty space right in front of me.

These are the seemingly minor things that climate change has caused and those of us in the city are just too busy to notice, Lagos is a very busy city and everybody is too busy trying to make ends meet to pay attention to things that happen around us .It might be really hard to grasp the effect of climate change on us, at least not until the road that leads to our homes are flooded, these things might seem less important at the moment but we needs to stop! Wait! And think… think about our environment and how our human activities affect our environment, are we too self indulged to see that we need to sustain our environment?

It is time to take a moment ,to stop and think about our environment.

Olaleye Taiwo-@greenernaija

SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN LAGOS

The fight against climate change can only be fought and won with effective political will and people’s will backing it, that is why the use of social media is important as a tool for sensitization and awareness so that every Nigerian, every Lagostians will know and be informed about the effect of climate change on their lives, health, livelihood and their entire existence as a whole.

Lagos is undeniably the fastest growing city in Nigeria, Lagos is just six meters above sea level, with the population estimated to be about 12 million by 2015(UN Habitat), Lagos as a coastal city has been struggling to stay afloat and fight the challenges posed by climate change, with global warming, Lagos faces a huge challenges such as rising sea level, flooding, effective waste management, food crises, creating effective transportation system etc.

Lagos is surrounded by water and this makes the city very unique and remains the pride of Nigeria, Lagos serves as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria accounting for over 60% of Nigeria’s income, Lagos is precious and we love her, but we must keep Lagos afloat and not close our eyes to climate change.

The importance of Lagos makes it expedient for the use of social media among young Nigerians to create awareness and help in the fight against climate change that is why the effort of Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS) and Community Conservation and Development Initiative (CCDI) should be applauded.

In response to challenges posed by climate change, Community Conservation and Development Initiative (CCDI) in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Stiftung have decided to create awareness on disaster management, waste management, disaster management, urban farming etc by working with various Local governments in Lagos, with the aim of creating a Local government that is responsive to the environmental needs of their community.

We intend to use social media to support their goal and further create awareness about climate change with the hope that you will add your voice to ours, together we can create a Lagos with a sustainable environment, free from the effect of climate change, with citizens and government sensitive enough to protect their environment from harm.

 Olaleye Taiwo-@greenernaija