The Lagos State government says it has concluded arrangements to host a two day conference to create economic value around wastes.
Tagged “Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot 2023” , (LCEH2023), the conference which is expected to attract about 400 in person attendees and over 1000 virtual participants is targeted at engaging Small and Medium Enterprises, Industries, Non-Governmental Organizations, Professionals, Students, Foreign Development Partners, among others.
The Permanent Secretary, Office Of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, who made this known on Thursday at a news briefing in Alausa Ikeja, announced that the event scheduled to hold from 26th-27th July, is supported by the embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and some other partners.
Pointing out that Circular Economy is pivotal to accelerate the drive towards a Greater Lagos agenda that would help to open up the state to genuine opportunities and address environmental challenges, Dr Gaji said the programme themed ‘Towards a Circular and Resourceful Economy: The Future Lagos’ was part of measures to achieve sustainable economic growth in the state.
“With all these activities and interactions, the Lagos Circular Economy Hotspot provides us the opportunity to highlight how Lagos State is transitioning towards the circular economy and how our businesses and citizens are co-creating innovation.
This initiative will also allow us to deepen the conversation as we build on our climate adaptation policy, our 30-year Lagos Development Plan, and the role of each and every stakeholder in building a sustainable city. Lagos, as a sub-national in the forefront of creating models for development which other states and cities in Africa emulate, is at it again,” Gaji added.
The Permanent Secretary recalled that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had organised a circular economy roundtable in December 2020 and also established a Technical Working Group to draft the framework and a roadmap for the transition into a circular economy the State.
He noted that since the roundtable, citizens and businesses had continued the conversation on how to utilise the waste and resources in Lagos with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the heart of the discussion as well as the industry.
Some Business and Environment Enthusiasts who will be part of the conference, including the Chapter Lead, Africa Circular Economy Network Nigeria, Mrs. Kemi Ajakaiye and Country Representative, Africa Economy Network, Abayomi Magbagbeola stated that the event would boost youths and women empowerment and lead to the creation of new jobs
The Circular Economy Hotspot conference which had previously been hosted in Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Catalonia Spain, and Dublin, Ireland, is coming to Africa for the first time with Lagos as the host.