Lagos govt urges abattoir operators to turn waste into wealth

The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to combat environmental pollution by urging abattoir operators to transform waste into valuable materials. At a workshop held at ABIS Farmers Market in Ajah, Lagos, officials emphasized the benefits of waste recovery and resource recycling, which would enhance sanitation, protect public health, and generate new business opportunities.

Dr Gaji Tajudeen, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, stressed that abattoirs and slaughterhouses are integral to the state's food supply chain and economy. However, he warned that improper waste disposal could lead to environmental pollution, blocked drainage, and health risks.

The workshop, themed "Red to Green: From Waste Disposal to Resource Recovery," aimed to promote sustainable abattoir waste management and explore ways of converting waste materials into valuable resources. Tajudeen highlighted that materials like blood, bones, and wastewater could be repurposed into biogas, organic fertilizers, and other commercially useful products.

Participants were encouraged to view waste management as an investment in public health, consumer confidence, and business sustainability. Dr Tajudeen urged stakeholders to adopt circular economy practices and emphasized that the initiative required collective effort from government, businesses, communities, and individuals to achieve cleaner and healthier Lagos.