The Lagos State Government on Monday engaged the traditional rulers and leaders of the Owu Ikosi and Agbowa Ikosi communities on the need to collaborate and ensure the early commencement of work on a proposed Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Agbowa in the Epe division.
This is just as the traditional rulers, the Abowa of Agbowa Ikosi, Oba Owolabi Momson and the Olowu of Owu Ikosi, Oba Nelson Ogunlari, gave a commitment on behalf of their communities for the State government to commence work on the proposed project right away.
Speaking during a meeting with the traditional rulers and chiefs of the two communities, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stressed the need for broad-based community acceptance and ownership of the project by the two communities to prevent any form of disagreement.
Wahab explained that the proposed MRF should be viewed as a major development initiative rather than merely a waste recovery facility, noting that the Lagos State Government had been deliberate in spreading critical infrastructure and development projects across the State.
The Commissioner noted that the meeting was convened to resolve outstanding concerns and ensure that all parties were adequately carried along before the State proceeds with the project.
According to him, while the State has a mandate to deliver sustainable waste management infrastructure, it is equally committed to ensuring that communities hosting such projects understand, accept and ultimately take ownership of them.
“It is a major development we are bringing to that site, and we have been very deliberate about how we spread development across the State; this meeting is to resolve whatever the issues are. We have to be frank because we do not want to make any mistake,” he said.
The Commissioner subsequently reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that both communities are fully carried along, with the traditional institutions and relevant government agencies working together to resolve any issues that may arise in the course of the project.
He stressed that no side would be favoured at the expense of the other, adding that the objective was to achieve an arrangement that would promote development while respecting the interests of the two communities.
Wahab, acknowledging the role of the two traditional rulers, the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi, Oba Saheed Momson, and the Olowu of Owu-Ikosi, Oba Nelson Ogunlari, in helping to resolve the concerns, noted that their willingness to see the “bigger picture” and prioritise the development of the area was very commendable.
Wahab further assured the stakeholders that the concerns raised by the traditional institutions and community representatives would be given due consideration, stressing that the State Government would not impose the project without carrying the affected communities along.
The Commissioner said the State Government would ensure that the agreed positions from the meeting were formally documented through correspondence to all stakeholders, providing a clear framework for subsequent actions.
He assured the stakeholders that the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Lands Bureau, the consultants and other relevant agencies would continue to work together to achieve success on the project.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago, expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders and other stakeholders for their constructive engagement, saying it is to his delight that work can now commence on the Agbowa, Epe location just as it has started in the Erekiti location in Badagry.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji, stated that the proposed Material Recovery Facility is expected to strengthen waste recovery, recycling and resource utilisation while supporting the State Government’s efforts to reduce the volume of waste ultimately disposed of at landfills.
He reiterated that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remained committed to implementing sustainable environmental solutions across Lagos, while ensuring that communities are active partners in projects that directly affect them.
Responding, the Olowu of Owu-Ikosi, Oba Nelson Ogunlari and the Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi, Oba Owolabi Momson, both expressed their support for development initiatives that would improve the communities, while urging the State Government to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are properly consulted and carried along.
They explained that the communities were not opposed to development, saying the presentation of the project and its proposed facilities was satisfactory.
They added that the state government must ensure that all components contained in the project plan are fully implemented.
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; and the Acting Surveyor-General of Lagos State, Surv. Olalekan Odupe.
Others included the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Executive Director, Finance, LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi; as well as other top officials in the Ministry.
