In a concerted effort to ensure a better living community, residents of Ojokoro community in Lagos State, Nigeria have embarked on strategic initiatives and interventions that would ensure livable community, improved quality of life and increase their earning potential.
This was disclosed at a one day ‘Stakeholders Interaction for Action Plan on Net-Zero’ held by the Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority (Ojokoro LCDA) in collaboration with Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st) held on Monday, June 24, 2024 at the Council headquarters.
It would be recalled that almost a year ago, in 2023, C21st collaborated with the Ojokoro LCDA to host an awareness and sensitization program on Net-Zero and what it means for the residents and community as a whole.
That engagement has indeed sprouted fruit as the awareness campaign kick-started a chain of events which has culminated in the hosting of the interactive session towards establishing an action plan on Net-Zero.
According to the Executive Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Hon. Hammed Tijani, the essence of hosting the interactive session is to keep acquainting the people on why and in what areas they need to reduce emissions within their locality.
“We had to invite community stakeholders to sensitize them on our action plan so they are on the same page with the LCDA. This will ensure they can go back home to continue sensitizing their people so they know the things they need to do to mitigate the effect of carbon emissions on the society.
“The number of participants gives us an assurance that there will be a positive ripple effect as we had a huge turn-out. Those who attended can take the messages home, educate their neighbours and friends, and ensure trickle down to the grassroots”, said Hon. Tijani.
During the engagement session, one strategic intervention that resonated with participants was the issue of waste management and its potential for reduction of carbon emissions. It was however, discovered that waste management, within the context of the inherent benefits it holds was not yet a fully understood concept.
Various speakers emphasized on the need to address waste management as a core practice, individually and collectively to achieve expected goals.
Ms Titi Akosa, Executive Director of C21st insisted that residents within the community need to understand that while waste management can be a net-zero activity, it also has economic and health benefits.
These benefits can be derived from sorting your waste, separating plastics and putting them into a separate bin for recycling, which can earn money. Another benefit is that using a waste bin for the Private Sector Participants (PSP) to remove, the environment is cleaner and residents, including children are less prone to health risks.
And according to the LCDA Chairman, indiscriminate dumping of refuse is not acceptable.
“One campaign we have embarked on is the ‘Environmental Sensitization’. This is where we engage the LCDA’s environmental officers to go round sensitizing the people on proper waste management. After this comes enforcement to ensure that residents fully understand and appreciate the seriousness we attach to this. However, our major goal is sensitization so the community people can develop a sense of responsibility towards waste disposal”, says Tijani.
On refuse collection, the LCDA Boss reiterated that perceptions were changing. “Not too long ago, there was this perception that we didn’t need to pay for waste disposal. But through continuous advocacy, we at the LCDA are changing that perception. PSP Operators are private companies and if they are not paid, they will not be able to operate and give us optimum service”.
The Stakeholders Interactive session enjoyed a huge turn-out in number of participants as community leaders, market leaders, youth and women leaders, business operators, healthcare workers and staff of the local council were in attendance.
