CDHR Promotes Public Involvement In The Development Of Environmental Policy

The Federal Government has been urged to enact laws that promote the environment and involve the public in the development of environmental policy by the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) and a few concerned Lagosians.

They made the request during the interactive monthly roundtable for stakeholders, which was held in association with the Center for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership.

Lagos State Environmental Laws: “Implication and Effects on Human and Socioeconomic Rights of the People” was the theme of the roundtable, which took place in Ikeja.

The Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Environment, Kunle Adeshina, spoke at the roundtable and stated that Lagos State had taken strong action to pass laws protecting the rights of its residents to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment.

According to him, these laws are tools of social justice that are intended to guarantee that every person can exercise their fundamental rights to life, dignity, and well-being, irrespective of their social or economic standing.

He also condemned the state's practice of open defecation.

According to Kayode Oyekanmi, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, the general public is required to follow the laws governing the environment.

“Every law in society is made to benefit the people. The Lagos State government has placed top priority on human welfare and the rule of law to protect the citizens of the state. It is our responsibility, particularly when it concerns the environment, that we do what we have to do within the ambit of the law to ensure a sustainable environment for generations,” he added.

Speaking as well, Gideon Adeyemi, the Program Officer for Corporate Accountability and Public Participation in Africa, said that the government ought to make all laws understandable to the general public.

“The most important role of the citizens is to interrogate every law. The proper formulation of enforcement should be emphasized. The government should carry the people along and explain as much as possible why the laws were enacted. Any law you force on people, then there is something wrong with the law.”

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency's Chief Legal Officer, Adeyemo Oluwabukola, urged the public to educate one another on proper waste disposal in her remarks, stating that the illegal dumping of waste in the state is caused by the public's unwillingness to pay for private sector partnerships.

“We have over 420 private sector waste collectors in Lagos. During the time of Fashola, we were all complying, but now we have refused to pay the PSP, and that is why we are disposing illegally, and it is what we give to the environment that it gives back. We appeal that we all enlighten our people about proper waste disposal.”

The national chairman of CDHR stated in his opening remarks that the purpose of the round table was to solicit input from the public and raise awareness among Lagosians and other stakeholders regarding government environmental policies.

He said that the monthly round table's goal was to discuss a wide range of government initiatives and policies in an effort to improve society.

Speaking at the event were concerned Nigerians and stakeholders who urged government officials at all levels to involve the people in the creation and execution of policies.

They demanded improvements after complaining about the Lagos State waste disposal agency's subpar performance.