Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has rejuvenated its operations around the state, taking full advantage of the new waste collection trucks and the double dino bins injected into its fleet by Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in line with his administration’s drive towards actualising the second pillar of the ‘THEMES’ Agenda: Health and Environment.
The huge advantage that the trucks has brought into waste management in recent times cannot be overemphasized, as the capacity to collect, transport and dispose waste has greatly improved, their presence in a ubiquitous manner can be felt in every nook and space of the state and steadily, an hitherto huge waste that adorn the landscape is gradually and steadily disappearing, to the delight and satisfaction of Lagosians.
The narrative is indeed changing and we will take full advantage of this, by not resting on our oars until our primary objective ensuring a sustainably clean environment is achieved.
Another major component of the Authority’s operational drive is the landfill rehabilitation.
The major landfills scattered all over the state are currently undergoing rehabilitation process which has really affected our operations and a noticeable feature is the presence of traffic around the areas.
It is of note that the rehabilitation of these landfills, especially capping, road networks, upgrading and the likes actually started around March this year, but unfortunately, activities were greatly hampered due to the rains and the process was forced to stop by the end of April/May, due to the bad and unfriendly weather.
Work has, however, resumed in earnest on the landfills, taking advantage of the August break and we want to assure Lagosians that, in the next ten days, the exercise will be completed and the good news is that, the turn-around time will radically improve and the traffic snarl around those landfills, triggered by the rehabilitation works will disappear.
In equal terms, some of those old LAWMA collection trucks would be boarded to some of the PSP operators, whose trucks were destroyed during the unfortunate EndSARS protest, to support their operations, increase their capacity for better service delivery and optimal performance. A committee has been constituted in this regards in order to ensure transparency and that due process followed, just like the previous one which had already been completed.
The Authority wants to assure Lagosians that it will continue to, not only seek guidance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources from time to time, but also collaborate on formulation of right policies, programmes and directions, in order to ensure a clean cityscape, as well as create a people-friendly and sustainably clean Environment livable for all.
Furthermore, LAWMA will improve and upscale its regulatory role, through constant monitoring of the over 450 PSP operators across the state for efficiency and compliance, our Marine operations; Medical Waste; School Waste; Market operations; Construction, Demolition and Disaster Waste operations (E-waste inclusive); Recycling programme; Waste to Energy; Waste to Wealth and over 15 waste management programmes that the Authority oversees.
The Authority hereby appeal to Lagosians for their understanding, patience and support as we employ all scientific and technological methods to bringing about a sustainably cleaner environment for the good of everyone.
While assuring you of our total commitment to our filial duties and responsibility, we want to use this medium to once again, ask Lagosians and tenements not to dump refuse indiscriminately in unauthorised places, patronise our assigned PSP operators and pay your waste bills promptly, for better and efficient waste management delivery in order to ensure a sustainably cleaner environment.
Akinleye Hakeem Kayode
Assistant Director, Public Affairs
