LASG moves against plastic waste on waterfronts

The Lagos State Government has inaugurated the Clean-Up of Lagos Waterfront initiative in order to eliminate plastic waste from waterfronts across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, who inaugurated the initiative at Ibeshe Waterfront in Ikorodu, added that Lagos, like many other megacities, was faced with socio-economic and environmental challenges, including the pollution of the marine environment.

He pointed out that the marine ecosystem was a delicate one that must be protected to effectively facilitate socio-economic activities such as transport, power generation and irrigation.

He said, “The water bodies, which are priceless gifts of nature with huge aesthetic, tourism and economic values, have been subjected to all forms of abuse, including dumping and littering of the waterfronts with solid waste.”

He said that by embracing and sustaining the clean-up, Lagos State would benefit from desirable shorelines for leisure and aesthetics and increased income from waterfront tourism.

The commissioner stated that most of the waste that emanated from the inland must not be allowed to find its way to the waterfront, while urging Lagosians to embrace and encourage best waste management practices.