The Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria has unveiled plans to assist the Lagos State Government in the area of proper waste management to boost environmental and health safety of the residents.
The Acting Registrar, ICCON, Mrs. Taiwo Bammodu, made the disclosure during the institute’s 5th Mandatory Continuing Professional Development workshop tagged: ‘Chemistry and waste management in the development of Small and Medium-scale Enterprise’ in Lagos.
According to her, Lagos as an industrial city with a population of over 18 million residents, will generate more waste than most other cities in the country, hence the need for it to have an effective waste disposal system with the help of experts such as chemists.
Bammodu said, “It is the role of chemists to manage waste and recycle it to the benefit the society. Gone are the days when chemists in Nigeria were seen as potential classroom teachers. Now, our institute is ready to turn the Nigerian economy around through the application of chemistry.
“We cannot but reiterate our desire for synergy with the state government in the area of waste management to ensure the safety of the residents.”
She added that the institute would also be collaborating with other relevant federal agencies such as the National Agency of Food Drug Administration and Control and Standards Organisation of Nigeria to ensure proper implementation of internationally acceptable chemical management of waste products in the state and ensure its safety on human health.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Chemical Works, Mr. Obed Onwochei, said waste recycling would boost the nation’s economy.