By Esther Onyegbula

Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Hon. Jimoh Saliu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Lagos State Government and multinational companies to drive a sustainable waste-to-wealth programme aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and economic empowerment for residents.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held on Tuesday at the council’s conference hall, where representatives of the state government, private sector organisations and environmental stakeholders pledged support for the initiative.
Speaking at the meeting, Saliu expressed optimism that the partnership would usher in a cleaner environment, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods across the LCDA.

According to him, the council is committed to deepening collaboration in the formalisation of waste traders and pickers into viable cooperatives, while also supporting the development of structured waste collection and aggregation centres within the area.
He said: “This partnership gives us great hope for a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future for our residents.

“On our part, we want to reassure you of our full readiness and commitment. We will provide land where necessary, offer strong coordination, ensure effective community engagement, and give all required implementation support to make this initiative successful.”
The council chairman also appealed to the participating companies to support developmental projects within the community through their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, programmes.

“I want to demand your Corporate Social Responsibility in our developmental projects, as we can’t leave everything to government alone.
“We have schools we want to build, we want to build a hospital, we have a hall that can be branded, and we have a sports centre that you can develop for us. I want to implore you to come and invest in them,” he said.

Representing the Office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, consultant Dr. Adebola Odunsi said the circular economy programme was designed to ensure that waste generated within communities does not end up littering streets and drainages.

Odunsi noted that the initiative presents significant environmental and economic benefits but stressed the importance of gathering accurate data on available plastic waste within the council area to ensure effective planning and implementation.
She further emphasised the need for a structured approach, noting that prospective waste traders and participants must be registered under cooperative societies to access funding opportunities.

“The exercise must be structured. We need reliable data and organised participation. Registration through cooperative societies will enable participants to access available funding and other support mechanisms,” she said.

Also speaking, Sustainability and CSR Manager of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Oluseye Olokun, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the programme, promising support through empowerment and skills acquisition initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of residents.

Similarly, the Operations Head of SPCTA Industries Limited, Mr. Tunji Alade, disclosed that the company has the capacity to engage about 35 people directly and operates a training school focused on the blue-collar economy.
Alade urged residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices, particularly with nylon and plastic materials, lamenting that established waste management procedures had largely been abandoned.

He stressed that indiscriminate dumping of waste undermines environmental sustainability efforts and limits the opportunities available through recycling and waste recovery programmes.
Also contributing, the Sustainability Officer of 7Up Bottling Company said the organisation had already carried out assessments in the proposed intervention areas and was prepared to support practical implementation efforts.

According to the officer, the company believes in achieving measurable results through action-oriented interventions rather than prolonged discussions.

The stakeholders’ engagement forms part of broader efforts by the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA to leverage the circular economy model to address environmental challenges, create jobs and transform waste into a source of economic value for residents.