By Kingsley Adegboye

The Lagos state government has built the first ever Material Recovering Facility, MRF in the country. The MRF is a project undertaken by West Africa Energy Group in collaboration with the Lagos State Government aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability in the state through waste recycling and creation of small scale entrepreneurial schemes in the catchment area.

Fashola

Immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola who spoke at the commissioning of the multi-million naira plant, said he was optimistic that the Facility located in the Igando area of the state would improve the environment and create more job opportunities for the people of the state.

Fashola who commended the effort of West Africa Energy Group in the initiation of the project, stated that effective environmental management and sustainability was part of the fulfillment of his promises to transform Lagos state.

The former Environment commissioner, Mr. Tunji Bello commended LAWMA and West Africa Energy for the laudable project, stating that it would be a reference point in solid waste management in the country. He further revealed that the MRF, when fully operational, would provide support to the manufacturing sector through the provision of waste off-takers such as plastics,papers and metals, leading to reduction in cost of production and more employment opportunities.

In his address, the Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya said that completion of the MRF was a dream come true. He thanked the former governor and host community for their cooperation, especially by permitting the use of their land for the purpose.

The CEO West Africa Energy Group, Mr. Paul O’Callaghan, said that the facility at full production would process waste from more than 130 PSP trucks per day. According to him, the staff strength sourced from the local community would be increased from 120 to 350 personnel of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

Other people that delivered their goodwill messages includes the GMD of First City Monument Bank, Mr. Ladi Balogun, the chairman of Association of Waste managers of Nigeria, AWAM, Mr. Bode Coker, and a representative of Igando community.