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Jospong breaks into Africa… signs deal to build waste treatment plants in Lagos State, Nigeria
The Jospong Group of Companies (JCG) has entered into agreement with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to build waste treatment plants in Lagos, Nigeria.
The integrated waste treatment facility will help to transform the environmental situation of Africa’s most populous city.
The landmark agreement was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jospong Group of Companies led by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the Honourable Commissioner of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab in Lagos on Monday February 26, 2024.
The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in a remark, assured that, JCG is in Nigeria to help the State and also share knowledge and expertise in waste management and treatment.
“We have learned a lot of lessons from Ghana and we are here to share our technical and operational expertise to help improve the sanitation landscape of Lagos State,” he emphasised.
The Executive Chairman also assured the upstream operators (collectors) of Lagos that the company will partner and collaborate with them as well as support them with equipment to make their work much more effective and efficient.
The Lagos State Commissioner of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, noted that by the agreement, Lagos State is showcasing its commitment to a crucial aspect of environmental services through a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
“We are utilising a PPP arrangement to address our waste management challenges effectively,” he stated.
He noted that the arrangement also includes exploring ways to convert its waste into valuable resources.
“Our goal is a cleaner, greener and prosperous Lagos. And we are fostering a conducive environment for the private sector to thrive,” he stated.
He was of the view that Lagos State must find value in its waste instead of wasting it.
The Consul General of the Ghana Consulate in Lagos, HE Hajia Samata Gifty Bukari, asured the partners, Jospong Group and the Lagos State Environment and Water Resources of her support to ensure the success of the partnership.
Per the MoU, Jospong Group will establish a Material Recovery Facility; Mobile Transfer loading stations; Repurposing of current Olusosun landfill, Supply of self-tipping tricycles; and Bin manufacturing and plastic recycling plant to streamline recyclable activities.
Additionally, this proposed well proven sustainable solution to environmental sanitation will go a long way to boost Nigeria’s carbon ratings to enable it raise needed funds to build more sustainable infrastructure.
According to a report by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, Lagos State produces approximately 13,000 tons of waste per day.
The consequences of poor sanitation are dire, ranging from the spread of waterborne diseases to environmental degradation, and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable segments of our society, including women, children, and the elderly.
In Ghana, JCG has established 58 sustainable sanitation infrastructures for liquid, medical, plastics, and municipal solid waste including 16 integrated recycling and compost plants. These plants produce compost which is also helping to boost the agricultural sector of the economy.
The Jospong Group delegation included the Executive Director of the Processing Cluster of the Jospong Group, Mr Haidar Saed, advisory Board Members of Group, Madam Gifty Boi-Bi-Boi, Mr. Emmanuel Otchere Okomeng, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer-JCG, Madam Sophia Kudjordji, head of legal, Madam Gloria Boafo -Arthur Benneh, the MD of Sewage Systems Ghana, Mrs. Florence Cobbold, Managing Director at Waste Landfills Company Limited, Mr. Peter Dagadu, and some other members.
The Nigerian delegation which was led by the Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources also consisted of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi Akodu,
The Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services & Water Resources, Ing. Mahamood Olakunle Adegbite, the General Manager, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LASWAMO), DR. Ign Femi Afolabi and the National executives of the association of Waste Managers of Nigeria.
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Small-scale miners schooled on health hazards of mining with mercury
Mr Lovelace Sarpong (right) addressing the participants
Some Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in the Ashanti and Central regions have been sensitised on the potential health dangers humans are exposed to with the use of mercury in gold processing.
The sensitisation which was organised by PlanetGOLD Ghana project was to raise awareness about the negative impacts on the use of mercury in mining activities.
According to the PlanetGOLD Ghana Project Coordinator, Mr Lovelace Sarpong, the use of mercury in artisanal small-scale mining pose health challenges that affects the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys; and may be fatal.
Some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) that benefited from the exercise were Amansie Central, Asante Akim North, Amansie South, Amansie West, Bekwai, and Adansi North in the Ashanti Region, and Upper Denkyira East (Dunkwa-on-Offin) and Upper Denkyira West (Diaso) in the Central Region.
Additionally, he said inorganic salts of mercury were corrosive to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract, and may induce kidney toxicity if ingested.
He stated that the PlanetGOLD Project has conducted several initiatives to raise awareness on reducing mercury exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold mining actors in the country.
It was to promote mercury-free mining practices in line with Ghana’s obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, support the formalisation of the ASGM sector while advocating the adoption of the CRAFT Code and responsible supply chains, and raise awareness on the availability of mercury-free alternatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Area Head for Konongo, Mr Dawood Abbas, underscored the importance of government’s environmental regulations and EPA’s role in ensuring compliance within the ASGM sector.
He encouraged miners to prioritise environmental stewardship to gain community trust and secure a Social License to Operate (SLO) and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to enforce its commitments under the Minamata Convention.
BY Cecilia Lagba Yada
Entertainment
Stonebwoy releases sixth studio album ‘Up & Running’
Ghanaian multiple award-winning musician, Stonebwoy is out with his sixth studio album dubbed ‘Up & Running.’
As part of the release Stonebwoy performed various songs on the album to patrons at a special listening party last night.
The listening party held at the Alora Beach in Accra brought together Industry players, musicians, actors, corporate Ghana, diplomats and fans of Stonebwoy among others.
The album is made up of songs like, Memories, Pray For Me, Jejereje, Overload remix, Shine, Psalm 23, Betta Tin, Your Body, Geography, Shine, Lovely Weather, Jiggle and White, Ekelebe and Fvck Up Summer.
‘Up & Running’ features the top musicians such as Duncan Mighty, Ir Sais, Spice, Amaria BB, Jahmiel, 10TIK, Larruso, Chi Ching Ching, Kaylan Arnold, and Blvk H3ro, Wyclef Jean and ODUMODUBLVCK.
The album, which includes diverse songs for different target markets, shows Stonebwoy’s calculated effort to reach out to wider and new audiences around the world.
Stonebwoy is expected to hit the road in a global tour with his new album, ‘Up & Running.’
The colourful event was attended by industry personalities like Fred Nuamah, Andy Dosty, Keche, Bullgod, Nadia Buari, Nana McBrown,Kwaw Kese,Robert Klah,D-Black, Larusso and many others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Enjoy the album below
UP & RUNNIN6 – ALBUM OUT NOW!