Lagos State residents and businesses operating in the state spend about N5.3 trillion annually on fossil fuel because of the low supply of electricity from the national grid.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, at the first Lagos State climate change business meeting with members of the private sector in Lagos. He said the average daily cost of generating alternative electricity by residents and businesses using diesel or petrol at N14.4bn. However, the statistics were from the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory conducted by the ministry to find the impact of emissions on the environment in the state.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Gaji Tajudeen, stated that the study also showed that the energy sector was the highest contributor of greenhouse emissions.
The Director, Environmental Planning, Mr. Bankole Michael, said the business meeting, which was a prelude to the annual environmental summit coming up in July. This is with the aim of getting private sector collaboration to tackle the challenges of climate change for the common good of all.
In his presentation, Michael revealed that rapid rural-urban migration placed a demand on the government and private sector. Majorly to address climate change issues because of the implications.
The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Dolapo Fasawe; General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, Mrs Toun Popoola; and the Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Agency. Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, affirmed that their respective agencies were implementing various initiatives that promoted climate change and environmental sustainability.
-Punch.
