LAWMA To Prioritise Research To Tackle Environmental Challenges

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has said it would continue to prioritise research and continuous learning to develop strategic solutions for efficient waste management.

The agency stated this at a ‘lunch and learn lecture’ series with the theme, “Catalysing Innovation through Collaboration: Unleashing the Power of the Triple Helix of Government, Industry and Academia,” held at its headquarters in Ijora-Olopa.

The managing director and chief executive officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the lunch and learn series as an informal but intellectually stimulating platform, designed to spark dialogue, encourage research and enhance capacity within the agency.

He said, “This is an informal session, which is why it is called the Lunch and Learn Series. Programmes like this are a tradition in academic environments where they have been proven to contribute to academic and personal development significantly.

“We are replicating that model here at LAWMA because what we do is not just based on logistics; LAWMA is a scientific organisation with scientific officers and we recognise the importance of the academia in addressing waste management challenges. Therefore, we must prioritise research and continuous learning to develop strategic solutions tailored to our region’s specific needs. Initiatives like this are the way forward.”

In a keynote presentation, an expert in sustainability and innovation, Prof Mats Eklund, shared insights on the potential of biogas solutions in addressing global challenges such as air pollution, climate change, water contamination and soil health.

Eklund who is the scientific leader of the Biogas Research Centre at Linköping University, Sweden, illustrated how several environmental challenges could be addressed through several research works that had proved effective in many areas.