Lagos Restates Commitment To Environmental Conservation

• The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, restated its commitment to environmental conservation
• The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, called for the adoption of best practices to protect the ecosystem across the State.

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Celebrating the year 2021 “World Wetland Day” on Tuesday, the Lagos State Government, restated its commitment to environmental conservation through continuous awareness on the importance of wetlands.

Speaking at the event organised by the State Government to mark the 2021 World Wetland Day at Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, called for the adoption of best practices to protect the ecosystem across the State.

The Commissioner, who described the wetlands as a good source of freshwater, stated that action must be put in place to restore them as well as stop their depreciation and loss.

According to the commissioner man is known to utilise more freshwater than the ability of the wetlands to naturally replenish and regenerate.

Bello said the State Government would continue to address wetland quality decline through wetland restoration plans, continuous cleaning up of wetlands as well as ensure the integration of wetlands into development plans and resource management.

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He noted that the State Government has at different times designated certain wetlands as protected areas to maintain their pristine nature and also recently installed signposts in all the wetlands in the State to further protect them from encroachment as well as preserve their natural functions, one of which is water purification.

While revealing that a sector policy on wetland and biodiversity is being developed to ensure balanced development, he noted that all future developments on or around wetlands will be subjected to a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in line with world’s best practices.

Bello averred that the government has commenced the monitoring of degraded Wetlands in the State with a view to developing regulation for their management in order to prevent further encroachment.

The Commissioner, however, urged all those involved in illegal reclaiming of wetlands to desist from the act, while warning residents to desist from the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the wetland and ensure that buildings are not constructed on government reserved areas as the present administration remains committed to protecting the wetland and its biodiversity.

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