Lagos Set For Waste Management Summit

Daniels Ekugo

In a bid to enhance efficient management of solid waste and tackle its challenges in Africa and Nigeria in particular, Waste Matters Nigeria Limited in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment, is set to organise African Waste Management summit, exhibition and awards in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

It is the premier event for the recycling and waste management industry in the African region.

It will present a platform to explore latest technologies and products and find best practices to successfully manage waste in a cost-effective and environmental friendly manner.

It will assemble leading industry players, waste management solution providers and consultants to address and discuss challenges and strategies for waste minimization, collection, treatment, disposal and recycling.

According to Chief Ken Edike, CEO of Waste Matters Nigeria Limited, “the concept of ‘wastes are misplaced resources’ is already conceived, but the realization in a systematic way around the world is yet to begin. From the last decade, the sustainability issues of both management and treatment of solid wastes constitute the heart of the problem and yet to be embraced by many countries.

“Now it is the time to fuse the sustainability and effective resource utilization. Most importantly, time is crucial and humans are stamping their authority and challenging the resilience of Mother Nature, knowingly or unknowingly. Therefore, every stakeholder needs to join hands to protect our earth through sustainable use and management of resources. Sharing and knowledge transfer can provide impetus on reducing the trial and error time required in different parts of the world on a specific issue.

“Solid waste management is a collective effort and will be efficient and sustainable if stakeholders understand their own responsibility and accountability of preserving the environment for our future generations and this is what the Conference ultimately aims for.”

Edike further stated:“In the African region, where most countries have highest per capita waste generation in the world, the scale of the challenge faced by civic authorities is even greater. Rapid industrial growth especially in the energy industry, construction boom, increasing population and rapid urbanization have all contributed to this escalating waste problem.

Preliminary estimates put the total volume of solid waste generated in the region at around 120 million tons per year. This event aims to present innovative and sustainable solutions for all types of municipal, industrial and medical wastes.

“It will provide a distinctive opportunity for all the national and international exhibitors to network and put on display the most recent equipment, services, solutions and technologies in the waste and recycling industry on a single platform. It is a must attend exhibition cum awards for waste management companies, owners of materials recycling facilities and local authorities as well as personnel responsible for their organization’s recycling and waste management.”

The summit which will be hosting over a hundred exhibitors from over 20 countries will be held in the Exhibition Hall of the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, from 21 to 23 October, 2015 with a resolve to ensure a healthy environment through effective waste management and sanitation.