The partnership which heralds the launch of Lagos Recycle
Initiative is targeted at curbing the huge challenge of plastic pollution for
better ecosystem, through recycling and waste management reward system for
residents of the State.
On the path of Heritage Bank, MD/CEO, Ifie Sekibo affirmed
that the collaboration was part of the move to promote the implementation of
the Central Bank of Nigeria initiative on Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principle
to deliver positive development effects to society and businesses.
Specifically, he stated that Heritage Bank entered into this
partnership to assist the Lagos State Government and Recyclers generate
employment whilst making the environment cleaner and better.
Sekibo, who was represented by the Regional Executive, Lagos
and South West, Heritage Bank, Dike Dimiri further explained, “as a bank that
has been at the forefront of corporate social responsibility roles considered
it key to be involved in societal development, supports the project through
promoting recycling for export and domestic use, help individuals to de-plastic
Lagos and get reward from the state government”.
Explaining the modalities for the reward system which will
be conducted via raffle draw, he said, “Heritage Bank developed a simple
payment system and presented the ‘LAWMA Recycle card’ which would allow the
state government give its prizes to the aggregators and other benefits
associated with the recycling project that consumers and participants of the
Lagos Recycle Initiative are meant to benefit from.
“This card will be in the hands of the 6million households
in Lagos, it will also form the foundation for the transmission of every
payment, raffle draws that will be conducted.”
Odumboni said the Lagos Recycle initiative would deploy an
attractive reward system, to encourage waste segregation and timely pick-up of
recyclables across the state, emphasizing that residents would be rewarded for
gathering their plastic items and handing them over to LAWMA accredited
recyclers.
He said further that LAWMA would place recycling tools at
various public facilities, for the collection of recyclables, noting that the
initiative, apart from ridding the environment of plastic waste and its ugly
effects, would provide jobs for thousands of unemployed people in society.
In her closing remark, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, permanent secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, stressed that the vision of the state government was to have a cleaner, beautiful and more hygienic environment, which would be promoted by the Lagos Recycle program.