Firm, LAWMA partner to tackle air pollution in Lagos

In a bid to tackle air pollution in Lagos state, identified as the current greatest global health risk by the World Health Organisation (WHO), The La Casera Company (TLCC) in collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), cleared its immediate environment of all forms of wastes.

The clean-up exercise, which was done along the Mile 2 / Oshodi-Apapa expressway, as part of activities to commemorate the World Environment Day (WED), marked every year June 5, saw the management and employees of TLCC, volunteers who turned up in large numbers, and collaborating partners as well as representatives from LAWMA.

The company, in line with the 2019 WED theme: “Beat Air Pollution”, also carried out a tree planting exercise, as part of efforts to help give the ozone layer a much needed boost in protecting the earth and to further draw attention to the fight to reduce air pollution, while urging all stakeholders to come together and explore sustainable alternatives to urgently reduce pollution that threatens human health.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, TLCC, Chinedum Okereke, said the environment should be seen as a trust given to humans to protect for future generations, adding that the company does not regard issues of the environment as compliance issue, but rather as a responsibility “we owe to posterity”. Okereke implored participants at the event to adopt an attitudinal change approach in the fight against air pollution and be mindful of the environment.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, LAWMA, Ola Oresanya, who was represented by the Assistant Chief Scientific Officer, Aderonke Adesoye, commended the company for its conscious efforts in protecting and caring for the environment in all their operations. He said Nigerians have taken air pollution for granted, be it indoor or outdoor, not minding the dangers and harm posed to human life and public health, while urging government to enforce the WHO guidelines for ambient and indoor Air Quality.

“For the longest time, we have taken the air we breathe for granted. Without air, there can be no life but breathing polluted air condemns us to a life of disease and early death. Now that we know how air pollution harms us, there is no excuse not to act. There are some great reasons to eliminate air pollution from our lives because the quality of the air we breathe depends on the lifestyle and choices we make everyday,” he said.
While addressing the need for proper waste disposal practices in the state, Senior Executive Officer, Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Samson Adediran, commended TLCC for its commitment to ensuring a safe and habitable the environment; challenging corporate organisations and individuals to do more.