The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in collaboration with RDD Associates, has trained 20 women on the use of smokeless kilns for fish smoking in Ago-Egun, Ilaje-Bariga fishing community.
The training held at Ago-Egun, Ilaje fishing community in Bariga Local Council of Lagos attracted Asejere fish smoking Women Group, aimed at achieving improved air quality in the area.
Smokeless kilns 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.
Speaking at the forum, LASEPA 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.
He said: “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.” 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. Ajayi revealed that the new smokeless (Kilns) oven has the capacity to dry between seven and eight cartons of fish at a go, thus building the capacity of local fish business women while reducing emission to the barest minimum. He 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 said.
He commended RDD Associates for delivering a quality job, noting 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.
The representative of the Baale of Ago Egun-llaje Community, Mr Felix Joseph expressed gratitude to LASEPA and RDD Associates for their efforts. He acknowledged the project’s potential to improve living conditions while preserving the community’s traditional livelihoods.