Ministry of Environment: Synergy for a Sustainable Lagos
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment envisions a flood-free, hygienic, and beautiful Lagos through fostering a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. With a focus on drainage services and environmental services, the ministry undertakes various responsibilities such as flood control, inland erosion control, water resources management, and development of drainage systems. The synergy between agencies aims to create a sustainable environment for economic growth and citizen welfare in Lagos State.
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SYNERGY BETWEEN AGENCIES OF THE LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT Professor Babajide Alo, FAS, FNES Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) University of Lagos 2016 Environment Family Retreat At Lekki Peninsula Resort, Ajah, Lagos Saturday, 13thFebruary, 2016
1.0 THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT VISION:- A flood-free, hygienic and beautiful Lagos. MISSION:- To foster a clean, healthy and sustainable Environment for the well being of Citizenry through the application of best practices in Environmental Management The Ministry's Mission Statement translates to Creation of a sustainable Environment for Economic Growth and Promotion of Welfare of The Citizenry in Lagos State
Contd The Ministry of the Environment has two offices namely: Office of Drainage Services and Office of Environmental Services The Ministerial responsibilities are detailed below: OFFICE OF DRAINAGE SERVICES: Initiate, formulate, execute, monitor and evaluate policies relating to Drainage Services Integrated water resources matters Flood control
Contd Inland erosion control Dredging of canals and reclamation of land Ground water hydrology Control of water pollution and hyacinth Identification and management of gullies and degraded areas Preparation of master plan of drainage system in Lagos State Collection and disposal of storm waters Supervision and management of donor agencies assisted projects Liaison with Lagos State Water Corporation and other relevant agencies on any related matter
Contd Development and management of drainage plan Design, construction and maintenance of primary and secondary collectors Supervision of projects on major channels being funded by World Bank Laboratory services for sewage, water and environmental pollution Control of water pollution and hyacinth Treatment of waste water Liaison with Water Corporation on other related matters.
Contd OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Initiate, formulate, execute and evaluate policies relating to all environmental matters in the State. Develop regulations and standards on all environmental issues. Develop Policy matters on air and other forms of pollution. Beautification and development of open spaces in the State Control of outdoor advertisements and signposts. Field laboratory and geo-physical survey in conjunction with other stakeholders. Collation of data on industrial hazards and setting of standards.
Contd Liaison with NAFDAC, NDLEA, FMENV and Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences and Enforcement Unit on any related matter. Supervision of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA),Lagos State Waste Management Agency( LAWMA) Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA ) and Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK),Lagos Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC) and the Lagos Waste Water Management Office (LASWAMO) Preservation and conservation of Ecological and Biodiversity matters Development, control and maintenance of public parks and gardens
Contd Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Audit Report (EAR) Control, management and monitoring of public toilets. Coordination of environmental sanitation exercise and protection services. Initiate, formulate, execute and monitor all issues relating to climate change towards mitigating and adapting to the negative impact of climate change.
2.0 The Mandate of the Ministry of Environment include, among others; Preparation and periodic review of State s Policy for the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources, including procedure for environmental impact assessment for all development projects; Preparation in accordance with national policy, periodic master plans for the development of the environment, sciences and technology and advice the Federal Government on the financial requirement for the implementation of such plans.
Contd Advise the State Government on the: Conservation of natural resources and sustainable development, and scientific and techno logical activities affecting the environment and natural resources' Establishment of standards, codes and guidelines for water quality, effluent limitation, air quality, atmospheric and ozone layer protection noise control and hazardous substances to protect the health and welfare of the population from environmental degradation;
Contd Utilization of the National Ecological Fund, the State EDFs and other Funds for the protection of the environment. integrate all the Agencies, Departments, Units and Parastatals of the Ministry To effectively, function, the Ministry has been structured into Core Technical departments, Common Services Departments and units.
Contd Office of Environmental Services has the following departments/Units: Sanitation Services Dept, Conservation and Ecology Dept, Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Dept Environmental Health Dept Monitoring, Enforcement and ComplianceDept Finance and Admin Dept Research And Development Unit Climate Change Unit
Contd Office of Drainage Services Emergency Flood Abatement Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance, (MEC) Land Reclamation Erosion Control Special Project Monitoring
3.0 AGENCIES Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA ) and Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC) Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (LASWAMO) Lagos State Water Corporation
3.2 Guiding Principles for the LAMEnv It is proposed that the programmes of the Ministry to achieve the New Government Agenda shall be guided by eight principles as follows: Respect and care for the community; Enable communities to care for their environment; Change of community and personal attitudes and practices Conservation of the earth, vitality and diversity; Keeping developmental process within the earth's carrying capacity; Implementation of the national framework which integral development and conservation; Creation of global alliance; Minimize the depletion of non-renewable resources.
Contd The policy thrust and Action Plan of the Ministry shall be guided by the environmental agenda of His Excellency Gov Akinwunmi Ambode s administration based on the APC manifesto shall focus on Environmental Renewal, Revenue and Improved Livelihoods from Waste and Economic Development. The major objectives of the agenda is to continuously assess the State s natural resources, assess the level of environmental damage and design and implement restoration and rejuvenation measures. This shall include evolving and implementing measures to halt further degradation of the environment. Overall it would be geared towards using the environment sustainably as a means of reducing poverty.
2.1 Implementation of Programmes for the Lagos State Ministry and Need for Synergising In order to achieve the mandate and goals above and ensure environmental sustainability, projects and programmes have to be initiated, designed, developed and implemented directly by either the Ministry or through her Agencies/Parastatals The various programmes and activities of the main Ministry and its parastatals and Agencies to be SYNERGISED
4.0 ISSUES AND NEED TO SYNERGISE ACTIVITIES 4.1 ISSUE 1: MULTIPLE POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONS AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN LAGOS STATE Over the past three decades, Lagos State like many others has put in place a wide range of new environmental laws and regulations. One unfortunate result of the commitment to strengthen environmental protection measures has been a significant fragmentation and duplication of authority and responsibilities.
Contd While providing new prominence and focus for environmental issues, these agencies and units still responsibilities. They have to compete for staff and budgets with the older and often more powerful sectoral agencies, whose activities often have more impact on the state of the environment and natural resources than those of the environmental agencies themselves. face overwhelming tasks and NEED FOR HARMONISATION While this situation ensures the avoidance of any lacunas in the environmental legislations in the State, however, the fragmented nature and pattern in which these rules and laws occur have also made administration and enforcement diffuse. Some enforcement actions are NOT backed by any existing Law.
Contd SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED A HARMONISED LEGAL INSTRUMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT TO SYNERGISE ACTIVITIES AND COVER ALL AGENCIES IS URGENTLY NEEDED. ISSUE 2: HARMONISING ACTIVITIES OF AGENCIES/INSTITUTIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN LAGOS STATE
Contd Lagos State has established a myriad of Agencies and Institutions for various aspects of environmental management and to tackle of virtually all the known or established environmental problems in the State. Some issues are even tackled by more than one Agency or Unit. For examples see below a summary of the environmental issues and the Agencies responsible:
SANITATION The key programme under sanitation is solid waste management and this is centralised under Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). However, the LASWAMO too has a big role The Agencies through the Managing Director and their Heads drive and implement the models and policies formulated by the Ministry. The integrated waste management programme, has the following components- storage, collection transportation and disposal. The culture of bagging and containerisation has not being fully imbibed by the citizens but steady progress is being made in this regard.
Contd Collection and transportation has been privatised with the integration of PSP Operators whose number is 320 with 497 trucks across the State. The public waste is being managed by LAWMA with 150 trucks. We have also perfected street sweeping and has 9,700Nos sweepers and 945 Highway Sanitation Operators who address vegetal nuisances on the highways and presidential routes. Curbing the incidences of indiscriminate defecation and urination in public open spaces and infrastructures across the State and improve on personal hygiene through the Construction of 37 Model public toilets across the State and 74 Toilets within Public Schools.
Management of Waste Waste storage and disposal through 5 Nos Dumpsites, 2 Nos Transfer loading Stations and 25 PSP Operators engaged to manage medical wastes in 2500 Health Institutions across the State. Functional Waste to Wealth facility where wastes are being converted to Compost at Odogunyan in Ikorodu, Recycling of wastes and conversion to refuse bag is going on by PSP at Olusosun while the Nylon bag recovery plant at Igando needs to be stepped up. Finalizing the process of setting up other recycling plants for resource recovery at Igando in Alimosho local Government Area.
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED a) EXTANT SUPERVISION OF LAWMA The integrated waste management programme, has the following components- storage, collection transportation and disposal. The culture of bagging and containerisation has not being fully imbibed by the citizens but steady progress is being made. Continuation of the PSP Operations and prompt servicing/payment of bridging fees Improved Practices in Collection and Transportation of Waste Job Creation in Waste Management including: Street Sweeping
Contd Highway Sanitation Formalising Scavengers Improve on existing Waste Storage and Disposal strategies Establish Waste Recycling and Resource Recovery Plants Construction of Public Toilets in highly populated communities across the State
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (wole- wole) Environmental Health Officers are statutory Officers charged with the responsibilities of premises and tenements inspection for the detection and abatement of nuisances. Presently about 85 No Environmental Health Officers distributed amongst office of Environmental Services, Office of Drainage Services, LAWMA, LASEPA, Waste Water Management Office, Ministry of Health and Hospitals in the State while 600 other health officers are distributed amongst 57 Local Government LCDAs in the State. Between 1500 to 2000 premises inspected annually while No of abatement notices served/enforced range from 3000- 5000 annually SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Continue with programme and empower Environmental Health Officers more to enforce compliance including court prosecution.
WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT Lagos State Government has designed a 5-year Sustainable Sewage Management plan and established the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO). To further enhance wastewater management in the State, Lagos State Government established Lagos State Wastewater Management Office in August 2010. The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) is statutorily responsible for the implementation of the 5- Year Sustainable Sewage and Sanitation Infrastructural Strategy. To unveil the investment opportunities which abound in the Wastewater sector, LSWMO organized the First Lagos State Investment Forum on Wastewater titled WASTEWATER SECTORAL POLICY UNVEILING THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES at Eko Hotels & Suites on 16th March, 2011.
Contd (The forum was attended by over 300 participants drawn from the private and public sector, investors, financial institutions, Government at all levels, non governmental organizations, business investors, investment portfolio managers of foreign consulates, policy advocacy bodies, neighborhood and community based organizations, international communities and the media).
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Execution of the Construction of the planned Ten (10) New Wastewater Treatment Plants and the revamping of 3 existing ones spread across 34 LGAs and LCDAs Increasing the wastewater management capacity from existing 6% to at least 45% by Year 2017. Promoting investments in waste water management sector and polluter-pay-principles.
THE GREENING PROGRAMME Aka OPERATION GREEN LAGOS PROGRAMME The necessity to improve the aesthetics of the Lagos State, reduce pollution, and create employment instigated the Conservation Department of the Minstry to embark on the massive States Greening programme. This has metamorphosed into the State Government Bill establishing the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) for the maintenance of all the greening projects the Ministry has undertaken within the last eight years.
Contd The major landmark achievement in the greening programme include the following: Reclamation of open spaces from degradation by illegal trading activities, abode for miscreants and street urchins and dumping of waste; Improve environmental aesthetics of the city; A mitigation strategy to combat climate change; Enhance public safety and health; Poverty alleviation through creation of jobs
Contd The three (3) strategies used in achieving the success are: Private Sector Initiative (PSI), direct labour and contract. So far 84 landscaped Sites were executed by Direct Labour, 20 by Contract and 32 Sites by private Sector Initiatives (PSI). Over 5, 333 Jobs have so far been created through the landscaping and beautification drive Overall, is a very valuable programme. In fact it s the flagship of the Ministry and the State Government.
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Vigorously pursuing the Greening programme Supporting activities of LASPARK Encourage using the THREE strategies: Private Sector, Direct Labour and Contracting Education and public enlightenment of the populace on value of greening Increasing the greening and tree-planting campaigns Increasing number of landscaped sites across all 34 LGAs and LCDAs Promoting investments in the greening programme through incentives and private sector benefits
LAGOS STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY (LASEPA) The Agency commenced as Pollution Control Department of this Ministry. But t now controls and regulates activities of industrial facilities in the State. It s a much needed Agency for regulating, monitoring and enforcement of the industrial sector of the State. SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Allow Agency to continue its industrial compliance enforcement activities Training and capacity-building of the staff in enforcement procedures and processes Needs to review and establish new standards to abate industrial pollution in the State
LAGOS STATE SIGNAGE AND ADVERTISING AGENCY (LASAA) LASAA started as a parastatal of the MOE from the Ministry s Signage and Outdoor Department. Its been established for the regulation and control of outdoor advertising and signages. LASAA has been able to provide directional signs and streets naming in most parts of the State. SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Allow the Agency to continue its signage standardization and compliance enforcement activities Training and capacity-building of the staff in enforcement procedures and processes Needs to review and establish new signage standards inclding demanding for EIAs for oversized signages in the State
5.0 MONITORING, ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE (OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) This Department is a very key arm of the Ministry. The Department monitors the state towards ensuring compliance to Environmental Sanitation Laws. The department Superintends the activities of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade (with its over 1,200 personnel) Visits locations in the LGAs and LCDAs and issues Abatement notices were issued. (82,897 Nos of locations visited and 138,142(nos.) notices in 2014) Enforcement operations in 48 LGA/LCDAs within the State, In 2014, 26,670(nos.) operations, 15,694 persons prosecuted and fined by the KAI mobile court.
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED It s a Key Department. Allow it to continue its enforcement activities Training and capacity-building of the staff in enforcement procedures and processes Increase KAI Brigade numbers
4.8 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT (OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) The activities of the Department/Unit are also important in the overall environmental sustainability of the State. These activities include: Review and Certification of Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A) Reports for Developmental Projects within the State. These include: Sand Dredging Projects Surface Mining Projects Physical Structures (Buildings ) beyond five (5) floors and Hotels Petrol Filling Stations Carries out Review of over EIA Reports for projects in the sectors listed above i.
Contd ii. Impact Mitigation Monitoring for Projects that have obtained EIA Approvals to ensures compliance and effective implementation of the proffered mitigation measures and the Environmental Management Plan iii.Surveillance Monitoring of State to identify new projects without EIA approvals and ensure such projects obtain necessary approvals; iv. Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment on the Review and Impact Mitigation Monitoring of Projects located in Lagos State. v. Provision of Library Services through the management of Environmental Reference library located within the Ministry.
Contd vi.Monitoring of Air / Noise Quality in Residential, Industrial and High Traffic Areas; vii. Monitoring of Water Quality (Ground Water, Surface Water bodies & Microbiology) in the State; viii. Collation of baseline data resulting from Monitoring activities for Policy/ Guidelines formulation and review. ix. Continuous collaboration with the State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development and the State Ministry of Water Fonts & Infrastructure
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Key Department- allow to continue its data building role for Ministry Training and capacity-building of the staff in scientific reviews of EIA, EAu reports etc Training and capacity building on mitigation measures enforcement procedures and processes Increase capacity for monitoring and acquisition of air/noise quality data
6.0 TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE MATTERS Lagos State Government has been leading the nation in taking the educated stand that Climate Change caused substantially by the emission of Greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is real and continues to put measures in place to tackle this global threat. The Strategies for combating Climate Change in the State include: Public Awareness Creation School Advocacy Programme Mitigation programmes and Adaptation programme
Contd In addition, Lagos State Government has institutionalized Annual Climate Change Summits (the 7th consecutive annual edition held from 13-15th March 2015 at Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island; plans for the 8thSummit is in earnest). The Summit is the leading Nigeria s discourse on CC and attracts resource persons and participants from across the globe. The Ministry has always been part of the global convocation on UNFCC the COPs since 2010. Next COP In Paris in December 2015. Established of over 400 Climate Change Clubs in Public Schools State Wide under the School Advocacy Programme,
Contd Planted over 3.5Million Trees State wide in the past 4years with a target of 5Million Trees by year 2015 as CC mitigation measures Coordinated Local Govt. Climate Change Summit Flagged off of carbon credit train in collaboration with Federal Ministry of the Environment
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Set up implementation mechanisms for the State Climate Change Policy and adaptation strategy for approval by the State Executive Council/House of Assembly Enact an overarching stand alone climate change law Amend sectoral laws to facilitate priority actions for climate change integration. Process the laws for the approval of the State House of Assembly Redesign the CC public awareness programme- continue the Summits as advocacy instrument
Contd Even though a valuable project, re design and restructure the annual Summits Continue the School Advocacy Programmes on CC Continue the Mitigation programmes and Continue the Adaptation programmes Encourage investments in the mitigation and adaptation strategies Instigate strategies for job creation in Climate Change mitigation and adaptation strategies Increase capacity for monitoring and acquisition of air/noise quality data to monitor Greenhouse gas emissions Plan for LASG participation in forthcoming COPs of UNFCC
7.0 OFFICE OF DRAINAGE SERVICES The Office of Drainage Services is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective storm water management to reduce the incidence of flooding in Lagos State to the barest minimum. Specifically, a summary of EXAMPLE of the implementation of Storm-water Drainage Projects in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, are as listed on the next slide: i. Input: Construction of over 133nos concrete secondary storm water collector drainage works a) Output: 84km Over 8.2 million People benefited b) Employment: Over 3350 people employed c) Key Performance Indicators d) Over 60% of new concrete storm water secondary collector drainage infrastructures provided.
Contd (ii) Input: Dredging of over 54nos stormwater drainage earth channels Output: 118km Employment: Over 1850 people employed Key Performance Indicators: Over 80% development of new stormwater earth channels (iii) Input: Over 550nos storm-water drainage channels de-silted Output: 440km Employment: Over 17600 people employed Key Performance Indicators: Re-current and aggressive de- silting of stormwater concrete collector channels Total: 642km Employment: 22,800 people employed
SYNERGISING ACTIONS NEEDED Embark on massive deflooding exercises all year round Improved the socio-economic activities of the citizenry with the creation of close to X thousand employment opportunities in sector. Embark on continued draining of wetlands across State Improve people s welfare, homes and livelihoods from deflooding programmes in Lagos State Continue the Emergency Flood Abatement Programme to desilt and drain blockages around the State, through the Emergency Flood Abatement Department (EFAD
