The Lagos State Government on Wednesday urged the Ilashe community members in Oriade Local Council Development Area to ensure ‘clean air in the environment.
Mr. Omobolaji Gaji, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, gave the advice during the Eko Clean Air Advocacy at POP Beach, Ilashe.
The advocacy was organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to mark the Year 2022 International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
Gaji, represented by Mr Bankole Michael, Director, Climate Change and Environmental Planning, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said that keeping the air clean would ensure sound health.
He encouraged members of the community to be environmental conscious and avoid air pollution through burning of trees, refuse or plastics.
”We know that pollution is not friendly to us. So, we are trying to teach Lagosians how to manage the environment, to stop burning of trees, refuse, burning of plastics, to recycle their plastic very well and also to use gas in replacement for firewood,” the permanent secretary said.
The LASEPA General Manager, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said that the Eko Clean Air was an advocacy that would be replicated across all the Local Government Areas of the state, with the objective of improving quality of life.
Fasawe said that ensuring clean air also entailed proper waste management, hence, the introduction of ”Cash for Trash” to the community members.
”We have a programme called Cash for Trash, where you pick up your plastic bottles, don’t let them go into the oceans.
”Protect the ecosystem in the oceans because the microplastics, when the fishes eat them, we then eat the fish, and it causes all sorts of diseases, cancer, heart disease, blood disease, even sudden death, because plastic is non biodegradable,” she said.
The General Manager said that trash collected could be converted to cash, as they are recycled for other purposes.
According to her, there is no need burning the waste as it hampers on clean air, making one prone to ill-health.
”Even vegetal waste can be used for fertilizers, plastic waste especially can be used for recycling, so today, we are collecting plastic waste from the community members and giving them incentives, including money.
”The high point is that we are partnering with the Lagos State Health Insurance Management Agency by giving insurance to persons who bring 30 plastic bags filled with empty water bottle, pets bottles.
”You or a family of four are entitled to free healthcare for a year in any hospital registered under the LASHMA scheme.
”Health is wealth and we have merged environment and health together, so they start to understand the impact of the way they treat their environment on how it affects their health,” she said.
