LAWMA Academy wins ‘government agency of the year’ award

By Flourish Alonge

Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s Academy (LAWMA Academy) has been awarded the government agency of the year at the 3rd edition of the Lagos Waste Forum.

LAWMA Academy clinched the award at the event held recently in Lagos.

The event which was Themed: “Financing For A Sustainable Recyclable Waste Management”, was a high-level citizen’s forum on waste reduction and management dedicated to harnessing opportunities in the public and private waste management industry for national development.

Addressing participants at the event, MD/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who was the keynote speaker stated that Lagos State is fast moving from a linear economy to a circular economy where the principles of reduce, re-use and recycling are completely adhered to by all residents in the state.

Outlining the advantages of a secular economy, Mr. Odumboni said in a circular economy, waste does not exist and products and raw materials are reused as long and intensively as possible over and over again.

 “Waste is not a waste until it is wasted. Waste is a resource, it is the new raw material. And in order to keep as much material out of the landfill as possible, it’s important for each of us to do our part. One of the ways to put that plan into action is through the 3 Rs of waste management – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”

“Moving towards a more circular economy could deliver benefits such as reducing pressure on the environment, improving the security of the supply of raw materials, increasing competitiveness, boosting economic growth, creating jobs,” Mr. Odumboni said.

According to him, various forms of advocacies, campaigns and sensitization programs have been organized and still ongoing to get residents to key into the solid waste management initiatives of the state.

He urged Lagosians to take full advantage of the opportunities present in the waste management sector by acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge needed.

The LAWMA Academy, he noted, has been equipped with all necessary and required materials to meet the skill and knowledge needs of the people.

“We have been meeting with stakeholders in all the local government areas of the state. We have visited over 20 LCDAs in Lagos and we are not stopping until all 57 LCDAs have been reached. We are on radio and television on weekly basis pushing out the message of waste sorting from source and recycling. Waste to Wealth is possible if we start doing the right thing by changing our attitudes towards wastes.”

“The LAWMA Academy was commissioned to cater to the skill and knowledge needs of the people. It is the first waste management academy in West Africa and a lot of great things are happening. So I encourage you all to take advantage of the resources available and become your own boss,” he added.

The forum which was presented as an international conference, wards and exhibition of contemporary environmental and waste management solutions, and systems attracted a wide variety of waste management professionals, managers, recyclers, and other stakeholders.