The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to safeguarding the state’s coastline and promoting sustainable environmental practices as part of efforts to build a resilient and climate-friendly future for generations to come.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, on Sunday, following the participation of the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
Wahab, who represented Lagos at the global forum, said the state faces significant climate-related challenges as a coastal city, including rising sea levels, extreme rainfall, and excessive heat. However, he stressed that Lagos is proactively responding by developing resilient infrastructure.
“Lagos as a coastal state faces severe climate risks from rising sea levels, extreme rainfall, and excessive heat. But we are not sitting back. We are building resilient infrastructure,” he said.
He noted that over the last two years, the state government has intensified investment in its drainage infrastructure, completing 76 kilometers of trapezoidal drains across Lagos and maintaining year-round clearing of primary and secondary drains to mitigate flash flooding.
Addressing the issue of waste management, Wahab explained that Lagos, which produces over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, is transitioning from a linear “pick and dump” model to a circular system that treats waste as a resource.
“In the last two years, we have chosen to categorise waste as a resource, so we have transitioned from a pick and dump system to a more sustainable climate friendly system where waste is now a resource for wealth, a resource for energy. Where waste is not just seen as a waste anymore.”
He also reiterated the government’s ban on styrofoam food containers and announced that enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics will begin on July 1, after an 18-month grace period granted to users and producers.
Wahab concluded by emphasising the importance of building a culture of ownership around climate infrastructure and securing a safer, more sustainable Lagos for future generations.
Chioma Kalu
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