By Lateef Odegbenle
Lagos State government has signed a waste management and processing concession agreement with Jospong Group of Companies, a Ghanaian firm, to achieve its cleaner Lagos initiative and address the state’s long-standing waste disposal challenges.
The agreement was formally signed at a ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja, by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, and the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.
Representing Jospong Group was its Executive Chairman, Mr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong.
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Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the partnership as a strategic step towards achieving a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
He said the collaboration represents a convergence of strategy and vision, aimed at delivering mutual benefits and sustainable environmental solutions.
“We are ready to learn from the Ghanaian experience. This agreement will not only help rid Lagos of waste but also create thousands of job opportunities and transfer valuable technology to Nigerians,” the governor said.
Wahab emphasized that the selection of Jospong Group followed a rigorous evaluation of its proposal, technical expertise, and the feasibility of its projected outcomes.
Mr. Agyepong praised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership and assured full commitment to the project. He stated that the project, expected to be completed within 18 months, will involve the construction of two waste transfer stations and other recycling facilities.
According to him, the initiative is projected to create about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and ensure the transfer of waste management technology to Nigerians.
‘’We will definitely and wholeheartedly work to the timeline of the collaboration. This is a relationship that we have tested, we have seen and convinced that the skill and expertise will work here in Lagos.
‘’And so today we just witnessed official commencement of a mutually beneficial relationship between a forward looking private company and a committed public government.’’
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We are convinced that this will improve not only our physical environment in terms of waste management and generation, it will reverse what hitherto used to be a burden and a menace that we need to be able to deal with.’’
