By DADA AYOKHAI
The Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, EWMB, Amb. Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, was a panelist at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Edo State Tourism Agency.
The session focused on the theme: “Community-Based Tourism Development, Preservation and Climate Change.”
Speaking during the discussion, the Managing Director emphasized the strong link between environmental sustainability and tourism.
He said: “Community-based tourism cannot thrive in an environment littered with waste. It depends on clean streets, rich cultural heritage, and well-preserved natural resources. If we protect our environment, we protect our tourism economy.”
He noted that climate change, poor waste disposal, and environmental degradation remain major threats to local tourism potential if communities do not take ownership of preservation efforts.
He stressed that climate change, biodiversity loss, and poor waste management pose significant threats to these valuable assets, making environmental stewardship a shared responsibility.
Amb. Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi also outlined the Board’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability across Edo State through continuous public sensitisation, market-to-market advocacy, and the expansion of waste management services across the 18 Local Government Areas.
He further highlighted the transformation of previously neglected locations through sustained waste evacuation and sanitation interventions, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to creating cleaner and healthier communities.
Speaking on the Board’s vision for a sustainable future, the Managing Director disclosed plans to establish recycling facilities across the State, with the long-term goal of extending recycling infrastructure to every Local Government Area.
He also urged residents to support registered waste collectors and adopt responsible waste disposal practices, emphasizing that collective action is essential to building a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous Edo State.
Together, we can protect our environment, strengthen tourism, and secure a healthier future for generations to come.
