Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to leverage the circular economy to combat climate change.
It said Nigeria had suffered the worst impact of climate change despite contributing to global warming.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot conference, with the theme, “Towards a Circular and Resourceful Economy: The Future Lagos,” yesterday, said the event was of utmost importance, not only for Lagos and Nigeria, but also for the entire sub-Saharan Africa.
“We are also at a disadvantage when it comes to having access to the resources and strategies needed to fight climate change or adapt to its impact.
“Circular Economy, to me, is not new, nor do I see it as a distraction from the current model of effective public service delivery. It is a pragmatic approach and a fundamental tool to address global crises, such as pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity.
“This event speaks directly to my administration’s core principle of encouraging citizens’ engagements and partnerships to sustain a resilient socio-economic development for Lagos State,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu, who said that circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as many times and for as long as possible, added: “In a city like Lagos, we believe that this initiative will create more jobs, as additional innovative production ideas will be needed and extra manpower required to keep materials in the loop for a long time. Therefore, the teeming population will be profitably and sustainably engaged, as well as expanding the philosophy for an even greater mega city.
“Therefore, let me make it clear that my administration is committed to ensuring that resources are reused again and again to minimise waste. Our linear approach to delivering public goods and services shall be re-evaluated and the principles of circular economy shall be adopted fully.”
The governor said industries, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), had been at the heart of the circular economy discussion, while citizens and entrepreneurs had continued the conversation on how to utilise the waste and resources in Lagos.
“This event is coming at no better time, especially as the nation continues the process to free up its limited resources and optimally channel it towards addressing the different socio-economic needs of the citizens.
“Our administration’s commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through the encouragement of sustainable consumption and production patterns cannot be over-emphasised.
“It is in this regard that our second term tenure will be dedicated to the upgrade of our development agenda from THEMES to the “THEMES-PLUS agenda.
“The economic and commercial activities that abound in the state, along with its major link to international businesses and the outside world, has made Lagos a beacon of hope and prosperity that attracts a constant influx of people which translates to a constant growth in population. The attendant pressure on our limited resources, therefore, requires a deliberate shift from materialisation to de-materialisation. We believe it is by these indices and more that our dear state will be judged for compliance with SDG Goals 8, 9 and 12 on promotion of “inclusive growth, building a resilient infrastructure.
“I strongly believe that the current geo-socio-political climate gives us even more reason to re-evaluate the resilience of our value chains, eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature,” the governor further stated.
