Lafarge Africa Plc has cleaned up the popular Ketu International Fruits Market in Lagos and Kuto Market in Abeokuta, Ogun State in commemoration of World Clean-up Day (WCD).
The company embarked on the initiative with its partners namely Julius Berger Agro, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Belpapyrus Ltd., Nestle Nigeria Plc, Biersdoff Nivea Nigeria Ltd., and A&P Foods Ltd., among others.
The company said this in a statement by Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, the Head, Corporate Communications, on Wednesday in Lagos.
It noted that the clean-ups were in line with Lafarge’s 2022 Geocycle Week with the theme: “Rethinking Waste.”
The statement said that the exercise had in attendance several representatives of partner organisations and over 100 volunteer participants.
It quoted Temitope Dosunmu, Commercial Manager, Geocycle, Lafarge Africa, as saying that the clean-up exercises were part of Lafarge’s efforts to sensitize the public and create awareness for improved waste management for a cleaner and healthier environment.
“The benefits and advantages of sanitation in our markets cannot be overemphasised considering the high volume of waste generated.
“In line with our commitment to building a cleaner and healthier environment together, we strongly believe we have significant roles to play.
“The essence of this exercise, therefore, is to create awareness for improved waste management that will engender a cleaner and healthier environment.
“Through our operations and innovative solutions, we remain committed to making a zero-waste future a reality,” Dosunmu said.
The statement also quoted Greg Salami, the Operations Manager, Geocycle, Lafarge Africa Plc, as saying that the company would remain committed to a green environment.
“Waste for us at Lafarge is very important because we also include it in our production process, in terms of deriving energy from them or raw material.
“We are so passionate about waste, the more waste we reuse reduces the impact of waste in society,” Salami added.
Titilayo Falaiye, the Chief Executive Officer, Orange Strategy Waste Value co-partners, at the clean-up exercise in Ogun state harped on the essence of recycling in ensuring a circular economy.
“We are a waste recycling firm here in Ogun State. We are working toward helping people in Ogun State inculcate the habit of proper waste disposal by separating recyclable waste from general waste and in exchange for the recyclable waste they get a token.
“This is to normalise the idea of not putting their waste together and separating recyclable waste from the general waste. We are happy to be doing this in partnership with Lafarge Africa,” Falaiye said.
Toyin Obatosin, the Coordinating Director, Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), said the agency was proud to be associated with the partners.
“OGWAMA is the agency in charge of waste collection in Ogun State and when Lafarge Geocycle decided on a clean-up initiative in commemoration of the World Clean Up Day, we partnered with them.
“We have been focused on executing excellent work since the inception of this administration, so it is also an opportunity for us to continue our advocacy in proper waste management,” Obatosin said.
Lafarge Africa also presented cleaning equipment to the two market associations.
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