..To Open Official building soon
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) says it will establish a Waste Management Resource Centre to promote training and capacity development in the waste management sector.
AWAMN National President, Dr Olubenga Adebola, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos.
Adebola spoke on the sidelines of the Renewed Hope Climate Change Awareness Tour organised in partnership with the Lagos State Government.
Adebola said the resource centre would be located in a dedicated floor of the association’s new building, scheduled for inauguration in September.
He said the initiative was part of the association’s mandate to improve waste management in Nigeria through training, capacity development and skills acquisition.
According to him, effective waste management cannot be achieved without adequate training and capacity development for practitioners in the sector.
He said the centre would provide training for people seeking to work at different levels of the waste management industry.
Adebola said AWAMN was modelling the initiative after the system in the United Kingdom, where operatives in the waste management sector were required to obtain relevant certification.
“We are trying to model this Waste Management Resource Centre after what we have in the UK, to ensure that everybody knows.
“Even if you want to be a journalist, we create a space for you to further train on how to report on environmental issues or waste management,” he said.
The AWAMN president said school children would also be included in the programme to promote environmental sustainability from an early age.
He said the initiative would go beyond creating awareness to encouraging practical action on environmental issues.
“Beyond awareness, we must also begin to include action. Apart from awareness, there must also be action,” he said.
On climate change awareness, Adebola said continuous awareness, training and education were necessary to improve public understanding and response to environmental challenges.
“If you don’t train them, then don’t blame them,” he said, stressing the importance of continuous capacity development.
Adebola also commended the organisers of the climate change awareness initiative, describing them as the “Three Musketeers” for their efforts to promote environmental awareness.
He said their activities were consistent with AWAMN’s mandate of creating awareness and promoting better environmental management practices.
