Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria: Inception Workshop Report

The project “Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) is a comprehensive community-led approach designed to address methane emissions from the waste sector in Epe Local Government Area (LGA) and promote zero waste model in the entire Lagos state to bring a redefinition in the waste management and agricultural sector of the state.

1.0       

  Project Overview

The project “Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) is a comprehensive community-led approach designed to address methane emissions from the waste sector in Epe Local Government Area (LGA) and promote zero waste model in the entire Lagos state to bring a redefinition in the waste management and agricultural sector of the state.

Lagos state generates significant amount of organic waste with an average of 50% of municipal waste being organic. These organic waste including fruits and food scraps that are dumped in open dumpsites and landfills decomposes thereby producing methane emission. The Lagos state waste management sector faces challenges including inadequate waste collection and disposal contributing to methane emission.

The project adopts a five-pronged approach to methane reduction, these includes: diverting organic waste from dumpsites and landfills, building capacity of farmers on the use of non-petroleum based chemicals throughout their farming activities, constructing a material recovery facility, promoting zero waste actions and integration of informal waste pickers. These approaches/interventions collectively aim to mitigate climate change while simultaneously generating economic opportunities, improving air quality and entire environmental health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices within the project location.

2.0         Why Epe LGA?

Epe LGA was strategically selected as the project location due to several compelling factors. Epe faces growing waste management challenges that contribute substantially to methane emissions. The proximity of waste disposal locations to both residential areas and water bodies presents health and environmental risks and concerns to the local community and in recent times the Lagos state government has signed MOU with foreign companies to build a waste-to-energy facility in the community which is a false solution in addressing waste management issues. In order to get Lagos state government to reconsider its approach towards establishing a waste-to-energy plant, Epe LGA was chosen to put in practice a sustainable community-led approach that solves the same problem they intend solving without any form of emission and degradation. Also as a rapidly urbanizing area with significant agricultural activities, promoting the use of compost in farming and use of Black soldier flies as feed for fish, piggery and livestock farming was highly necessary to help improve their soil health/quality and plant & livestock growth while minimizing the release of methane gas. The area’s unique position balancing urban development with different kinds of extensive farming activities provides an ideal setting to demonstrate how integrated waste management approaches can address multiple sustainability challenges simultaneously.

3.0         Inception Workshop and Its Purpose

The inception workshop was convened to officially launch the project and establish a collaborative framework among diverse stakeholders. The workshop served multiple purposes such as introducing the project’s objectives and implementation strategies to key stakeholders; gathering local insights and knowledge that will benefit the project, identifying and establishing roles and responsibilities among stakeholders and promoting commitment from all participants to ensure sustainable impact beyond the project timeline.

4.0         Stakeholder Participation

The workshop attracted a diverse array of stakeholders essential to the project’s success these include:

·         Local Government Officials: Representative of the LGA Boss, The Vice-chairman, Secretary to the LG Chairman all other key LGA officials and Head of Department of Environment and Agricultural departments.

·         GAIA Nigeria: Representative of GAIA Nigeria members resident in Lagos.

·         Government Agencies: Including representative of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in Epe LGA.

·         Community Leaders: Representatives of traditional rulers and community development association (CDAs).

·         Waste Management Workers: Including formal waste collectors and informal waste pickers.

·         Youth Representatives: Members of National Youth Council of Nigeria Epe LGA.

·         Farmers Association: The leadership of farmers’ group/cooperatives in Epe LGA, including livestock farmers.

·         Market Leaders: The leadership of market unions in Epe LGA including perishable fruit sellers association, trade men & artisans, scrap production association and slaughter association.

·         Religious Leaders: Representatives of Muslims and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

·         Private Sector Partners: Representatives from waste recycling association.

·         And Landlords Association in Epe.

5.0         Key Discussions

The workshop featured a welcome address by CODAF Executive Director Mr. Richard E. Benin where he noted that what makes our approach distinctive is embedded in the very name of the project: “Multi-Solving” and affirmed CODAF’s hope to getting the interesting perception of all stakeholders to strengthen our collaborative commitment towards methane reduction in the waste sector.

Another was a presentation by the project lead Melody Enyinnaya, which gave a deep insight into the project objective, activities, timelines, and roles of all stakeholders, expected outcomes and other rich discussions centered on several critical themes including:

5.1         Current Waste Management Practices

A technical presentation from our baseline researcher, Dr. Chukwudi Emeribe showcased the baseline findings which mapped the existing waste management ecosystem in Epe, identifying key challenges including the lack of segregation at source, limited collection services in peri-urban areas and the prevalence of open dumping. Participants and waste pickers shared valuable insights about recyclable materials with market value and the current informal recovery systems in place.

5.2         Organic Waste Diversion Strategies

Melody Enyinnaya explained the link between organic waste, methane emissions and climate change, exploring practical approaches to divert organic waste from dumpsites and emphasized the role of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in sorting recyclables and composting organic waste.

5.3         Farmers Education on Compost

There were discussions centered on transitioning from chemical fertilizers to compost. Farmers expressed both interest and concerns regarding the transition from petroleum-based fertilizers to organic alternatives its cost, availability and effectiveness. They shared experiences with traditional farming practices and adoption strategies. They outlined potential education approaches tailored to local farming calendars and practices.

5.4         Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

The presentation by the project lead detailed the on-going MRF, its design, capacity and operational model. The MRF will serve as Epe Resource Centre, targeting the repurposing of waste materials and training community members who will gain knowledge and make a living from repurposing of waste. Stakeholders were enlightened on potential community integration approaches, job creation opportunities and structures to ensure the facility serves community needs while remaining economically sustainable noting that already the solar powered water source in the MRF is serving the community members living around the MRF location thereby solving the devastating water issues in the community. The LGA Boss, government agencies pledged policy support while community leaders promised keying into the project completely.

5.5         Climate Benefits and Co-Benefits

The facilitator Mr. Venath Titigbe, CODAF’s Assistant Director of Campaigns and Administration highlighted the climate impact of methane reduction from waste for the community and their environment. He emphasized perspectives on additional benefits including improved soil fertility, public health, and local economic development and reduced water pollution.

6.0         Baseline Study Presentation

A report of the baseline study carried out in the project location by Community Development Advocacy Foundation – CODAF was presented to the Epe LGA Boss by CODAF Executive Director. The baseline study was conducted to serve as a critical reference point for evaluating the project’s feasibility and potential impacts in Epe LGA. Also to assess key indicators, including the current waste management landscape, composting viability, farmers’ knowledge and practices related to organic waste management, community awareness and participation in waste diversion and methane reduction initiatives.

7.0         Participants Feedback and Sentiments

The workshop generated predominantly positive response from participants with many expressing enthusiasm about the project’s integrated approach. The Local government officials welcomed the initiative as complementary to their sustainable development goals while community leaders appreciated the inclusive approach. Waste pickers were particularly encouraged by the potential for formalization and improved working conditions through the MRF component.

Farmers exhibited cautious optimism about alternative fertilizers and requested demonstration gardens to observe results before full adoption. This will be attending to as soon as the MRF kicks off operation. Community Development Association (CDAs) and Youth representatives expressed strong support and eagerness to participate in awareness raising activities.

8.0         Practical Next Steps

The workshop concluded with CODAF sharing concrete next steps to maintain momentum throughout the project timeline:

·         Establishment of Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZeWA): The formation of zero waste ambassadors (ZeWA) that will serve as an alliance building group to drive the process farther than the project timeline.

·         Capacity Building: Developing targeted trainings and awareness for waste pickers, farmers and interested community members on source segregation, composting and repurposing.

·         Establishing of My Zero Waste Farm Project (MZWFP): This will engage and train farmers directly to establish zero waste farms within the community. Farms that will utilize compost manure from the material recovery facility (MRF).

·         Creation of Zero Waste Farmers Network: This will bring together a network of farmers trained under the MZWFP that will be committed to adopting zero waste and agroecology practices in their farming activities.

·         Establishment of Waste Parliament in Lagos: The Waste Parliament (WAP) will serve as a policy discussion platform aimed at influencing Lagos State’s waste management policies.

·         Expanded Waste Parliament (EWaP): This will bring together stakeholders from and around the waste value chain to discuss waste management practices and develop local strategies for methane reduction.

·         Zero Waste Market Campaign: This will play a crucial role in raising awareness on the needs of segregation of organic waste from other general waste and why it is a wrong approach to allow organic waste into dumpsites.

·         Waste Pickers Organizing: This will create an avenue for CODAF and ZeWA to engage with waste pickers which will get them involved in championing zero waste advocacies.

·         My Zero Waste City Radio Jingle: This step will birth my zero waste city radio jingles which will serve as a platform to educate a wider audience on zero waste and zero waste as a climate game changer.

·         Policy and Media Advocacy: This will provide an opportunity for CODAF and ZeWA to engage diverse policymakers to advocate for local and state policies that support and promote methane reduction and use of compost manure in the Agricultural sector.

The inception workshop successfully laid groundwork for collaborative implementation of the “Multi-Solving Action for Methane Reduction in Nigeria” project, creating a shared vision among diverse stakeholders and establishing practical pathways towards reducing methane emissions while delivering multiple co-benefits to the Epe community, the Local Government Area and Lagos state at large.