… Installs Two Kilns Fish Smoking Machine to Build Capacity
In a groundbreaking effort to enhance air quality and promote sustainable environmental practices, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in collaboration with RDD Associates, has organised a Capacity Building and Training session for 20 women on the use of smokeless kilns for fish smoking in Ago-Egun, Ilaje-Bariga Fishing Community.
The event witnessed the participation of the Asejere Fish Smoking Women Group towards building capacity and achieving improved air quality and sustainable economic growth.
The introduction of smokeless kiln technology is aimed at replacing the traditional fish-smoking methods that have long contributed to air pollution and posed significant health risks to the community.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Head of Air Quality and Emissions Unit, Mrs. Ayodele Osho, highlighted the agency’s efforts to monitor and address air quality issues across Lagos State.
“We have deployed air quality sensors in several pollution hotspots, including Ago Egun-llaje Community, where traditional fish-smoking practices were identified as a major contributor to hazardous air quality levels. The adoption of smokeless kilns is a strategic intervention designed to mitigate these effects while sustaining the community’s livelihood,” he stated.
The smokeless kilns technology features a three-door structure with 12 layers each, significantly reducing emissions while supporting waste-to-wealth initiatives by converting fish waste into valuable animal feed. The initiative is expected to not only improve public health but also boost economic opportunities for the community.
Dr. Ajayi emphasised the long-term benefits of the project, saying, “This initiative showcases how environmental sustainability and economic empowerment can coexist. By adopting cleaner fish-smoking methods, we protect community health through improved quality air, while enhancing their economic prospects.”
He further stated that the new smokeless (Kilns) oven can smoke between 7-8 cartons of fish at a go thus building the capacity of local fish businesses while reducing emissions to the barest minimum.
Despite initial resistance due to preferences for the brownish colour of fish smoked using sawdust, the LASEPA boss said his agency is partnering with RDD Associates to actively engage the community in training and public awareness campaigns.
“Over 20 women from the Asejere Women Group have received hands-on training in using the smokeless kiln technology which will help us to achieve improved air quality, build capacity, increased outputs and greater economic prosperity for local fish smoking Women”, he noted
The General Manager, who commended the consultant on the job, RDD Associates for delivering a quality job, noted that the feedback from the administered questionnaires and responses from the community indicated a growing awareness of the health risks associated with traditional smoking methods and a willingness to embrace the new, cleaner technology.
Representative of the Baale of Ago Egun-llaje Community, Mr. Felix Joseph expressed gratitude to LASEPA and RDD Associates for their efforts, noting the project’s potential to improve living conditions while preserving the community’s traditional livelihoods.
The Lagos State Government remains committed to fostering cleaner, healthier communities through innovative solutions that balance environmental protection with sustainable economic growth.
