Environmental experts have identified the circular economy as a viable approach towards addressing the nation’s current pollution problems, which include open defecation, urbanisation, flooding, and other issues.
In their separate remarks during an investiture ceremony for Yusuf Majolagbe as the new chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers, the experts also said that the country needs to promote waste reduction and more sustainably use of resources, according to environmental experts.
In his address, Olajide Babatunde, the governor of Lagos State’s special adviser on e-GIS and planning issues, emphasised the need for the nation and Lagos State in particular to take action and find sustainable methods of managing resources.
Babatunde, who was represented by Daisi Oso noted that spatial technologies can also play key roles in creating a circular economy in the country.
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He explained that spatial technologies, such as GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and drones, can provide a wealth of data and information that can help in making informed decisions about how to use and manage resources.
He added that information provided by spatial technologies can be used to optimise resource management by identifying areas where waste can be reused, recycled, or recovered, and areas where new infrastructure can be built to support a circular economy.
“Remote sensing can also be used to monitor changes in land use, such as urban expansion and deforestation, and to track changes in the quality of air and water, providing information on the impacts of waste on the environment,”he said.
He noted that geospatial analytics, which combines GIS and remote sensing data with other data sources, can be used to create models of the waste management system, allowing decision-makers to see the impacts of different waste management strategies and make informed decisions.
In his contribution, the executive vice president of Oando Clean Energy Limited, Ademola Ogunbanjo, lamented that the country was not preparing for its future generation by ensuring the sustainability of resources.
He noted that there is a need for Nigerians to engage in a circular economy to tackle major environmental challenges facing the country, stressing that the country must reduce consumption levels and adopt reusing methods.
This story was adapted from Punch.
