OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and other agencies in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources have undergone specialised training in Environmental Justice.
The programme, funded by Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through NUFFIC Orange Knowledge Programme, was conducted by Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) in the Netherlands.
The highlight of the training was its focus on Baruwa, a community severely affected by hydrocarbon contamination from state-owned pipelines since 1999.
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The training led to a pivotal development: the Lagos Water Corporation initiated a project to restore clean water to Baruwa, marking a significant step toward resolving a long-standing issue. Local media and international reports have highlighted the challenges faced by the Baruwa community.
The training was implemented in two phases, beginning in Lagos and concluding in Abuja.
Themed: “Reducing Ecological and Social Inequalities through Effective and Participatory Land Governance,” the training’s
key participants included representatives from LASEPA, Lagos State Parks and Gardens, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Lagos State Lands Bureau.
The programme emphasised multi-stakeholder collaboration and involved visits to related agencies to promote knowledge sharing and co-creation. Critical topics covered included land governance, water, and air pollution, socio-spatial and environmental justice, climate change-induced displacement, and resettlement.