Backlog of Waste to Disappear Soon – LAWMA MD
Backlog of Waste to Disappear Soon – LAWMA BOSS

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, has given assurance, that the backlog of waste dotting the cityscape would be a thing of the past in seven days.

He said this while coordinating operational activities around the city, adding that LAWMA would exploit the gradual cessation of rainfall and appreciable progress on landfill rehabilitation, to achieve the feat.

Odumboni said: “Thankfully, the rains have subsided and coupled with the reasonable progress on rehabilitation at the landfills, all these are working for good to complement our efforts. I can tell you that in seven days, the backlog of refuse will be gone. We have re-energised our operational machinery, working in renewed collaboration with the PSP operators”.

He also stated that the Authority was working on a special arrangement with PSPs, to make sure that they rendered optimal service delivery, adding that the agency had been providing backup services in areas with noticeable service gaps.

“We are working on an arrangement to sort out some of the issues affecting the performance of PSP operators in the state, especially the issue of scarcity and high cost of diesel, which has practically undermined our efforts to rid the state of the waste backlog”, he stated.

The LAWMA boss urged residents to bag and containerise their waste and support efforts of the Authority to sanitise the environment, by shunning indiscriminate waste disposal, one of the major factors leading to flood disasters and other attendant environmental hazards.

Also speaking, the president of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr. David Oriyomi, noted that the PSP operators have a renewed commitment to their responsibility of maintaining a clean Lagos environment, despite obvious challenges, adding that the PSPs would stop at nothing to get the job done.

He promised that the PSP operators would continue to work closely with LAWMA, to discharge their statutory duties of evacuating waste generated by tenements in the state, appealing to residents to ensure prompt payment of their waste bills.

For inquiries and complaints on waste management related issues in your area, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.

Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)

Director, Public Affairs

19/07/2022

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July 9, 2022 Events No comments yet

SALLAH FESTIVITIES: LAWMA TO MAINTAIN CLEAN ENVIRONMENT – ODUMBONI

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, has given assurance on the agency’s determination to cart away all refuse generated during the Sallah celebrations, to leave the city sustainably clean.

He gave the indication while reviewing the Authority’s level of preparedness, to tackle the expected huge volume of waste, to be generated during Eid-el-kabir festivities.

Odumboni stated that the various operational districts have been properly positioned, to cope seamlessly with the increased volume of waste, expected from residents around the city.

According to him: “We are well aware that the Sallah period will leave us with tons and tons of waste to evacuate. Be assured that we are fully prepared and equipped for the task. It is not the first time we will be doing it; we will do it again and even better this time.

“Our various operational districts have been properly positioned and empowered to tackle the expected task. This is just to assure you that LAWMA is fully prepared for that challenge”, he stressed.

Speaking further, he noted that despite the persisting challenge of exhorbitant diesel cost, LAWMA was scaling hurdles to deliver, and has put the PSP operators on their toes, to work around the obvious challenge, and render service irrespective of assigned days to the people for the common good of all.

Odumboni noted that part of the extra measures put in place for a dirt-free celebration, include mass distribution of trash bags at praying grounds, for the muslim faithful to properly bag their waste, especially animal waste, adding that a newspaper publication of the names and contacts of LAWMA officials, has also been done, for residents to get across for prompt service intervention.

He urged residents to observed the festivities with moderation and piety, in line with spiritual injunctions, urging them to desist from dumping wastes indiscriminately on road medians, canals, uncompleted buildings and other unauthorized locations.

The LAWMA boss also stated that the Authority’s management team had been assigned to different locations around the metropolis, to monitor the environment during the period, urging residents to call the agency’s toll-free lines 07080601020 or 617, to request for prompt attention.

While wishing happy celebrations, he appealed to Lagosians to shun all acts capable of negative impact on the environment, stressing that every resident had a duty to be consciously involved in fostering a sustainable and hygienic environment.

Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
LAWMA
Thursday, 7th July 2022

July 9, 2022 News No comments yet

LAWMA ACADEMY WINS AWARD AT LAGOS WASTE FORUM
Representative of LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi received an award on behalf of LAWMA Academy, as ‘Government Agency of the Year’, at the 3rd edition of Lagos Waste Forum, organized by Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Programme (SWEEP Foundation), at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, on Thursady, 30th June, 2022.
Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (3rd left); representative of LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi (m); and LAWMA Academy team, during the award presentation to LAWMA Academy, as ‘Government Agency of the Year’, at the 3rd edition of Lagos Waste Forum, organized by Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Programme (SWEEP Foundation), at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, on Thursady, 30th June, 2022.

LAWMA Academy, the academic arm of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has received an award as ‘Government Agency of the Year’, at the 3rd edition of Lagos Waste Forum, organized by Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Programme, SWEEP Foundation, at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.

Wife of the governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who had earlier declared the event open, copiously commended the Foundation, for sustaining their environmental advocacy, which they began three years ago.

According to her, “I attended your inaugural event three years ago and it was so impressive. I am happy you have sustained the good environmental sustainability advocacy work, which has already made you a champion in Surulere area. I challenge you to replicate the good impact in other parts of Lagos State. I am also considering going into full-scale recycling business someday”.

Commenting on the LAWMA Academy Award, the Managing Director/CEO LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, represented by the Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, expressed delight and showered encomiums on the foundation, for recognizing the modest contribution of the Academy to environmental education and advocacy.

He noted that the unit was established just over a year ago, with the mandate of teaching waste management, as well as environmental care and sustainability to the youths and children.

He said, “We are happy that just over one year in existence, the impact of LAWMA Academy is already being felt. Our intention is to pass knowledge of waste management and environmental sustainability to children and youths, through a well designed and articulated curriculum. We are happy that it is gradually making an impact and a recognition of this, is what has given birth to this award. We thank the SWEEP Foundation for this lasting honour”.

Speaking further, the LAWMA helmsmen enjoined Lagosians, to tap the huge economic potential in recycling, and to embrace the twin-bin initiative of the Agency, to solve waste management challenges in the Lagos metropolis.

He noted also, that the role of the Authority, was to regulate the operations of the various players in the waste management space.

According to him, “LAWMA as an agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating and ensuring proper waste management, through community advocacy has visited over 30 LCDAs, sensitizing people on the need to key into recycling by separating their waste waste at source.

“Recycling is the way to go and that is a cause we champion in LAWMA. When we reduce the waste that goes to the landfills, we will have a saner and safer environment. LAWMA is not resting on its oars, that is why the management organized stakeholders forum with communities across the state, to discuss proper waste disposal and the need to embrace recycling as a profitable enterprise.”

He said further that: “All organized estates have been advised to acquire bins, so as to separate organic waste from recyclables, before PSP come for evacuation and by so doing, their waste bills will be discounted by 15 per cent”.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji, commended the Foundation for its result-orientated environmental sustainability advocacy, promising that the government would continue to fulfill its own part of the bargain, for a people-friendly environment.

Other prominent speakers at the programme included Mr. Ola Oresanya, a former Managing Director of LAWMA and now the Special Adviser on Environment to Ogun State Governor, who also noted that the recycling space harboured abundant economic potential, urging people to launch in, to combat unemployment and pervasive poverty.

Folashade Kadiri (Mrs)
Director, Public Affairs
LAWMA

1st July, 2022

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PRESS RELEASE

We are Committed to a Clean Environment – LAWMA Boss
…Appeals for waste containerisation

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reassured residents of firm commitment to a clean environment despite the challenge of diesel scarcity, while also appealing to them to bag and containerise their waste.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, stated this on Friday while monitoring the environment, adding that efforts were being intensified, to clear any backlog of refuse, and to stop acts of indiscriminate waste disposal around the city.

He said: “We have redoubled our efforts, working round the clock to ensure that we evacuate all waste anywhere around the city. Although the scarcity and high cost of diesel has been a major challenge, as all service providers’ trucks run on diesel, nonetheless, we are doing the needful and leaving no stone unturned, to maintain a clean environment and prevent health hazard to the people”.

“Over preceding months, we have rolled out advocacy and media sensitisation campaigns, to inform and educate residents on the importance of environmental cleanliness, particularly the act of waste containerisation. We have also supported efforts of PSP operators, by providing backup services in areas that experienced service gaps, with the overall aim of eradicating black spots across the metropolis”.

He appealed to residents to properly bag and containerise their waste to allow more storage period and prevent littering.

According to him, “The resurgence of waste observed in some areas of the metropolis is borne out of the unforeseen diesel challenges the service providers are experiencing, and since tenements cannot keep waste in their houses, have resorted to bringing it to the highways, which isn’t proper.”

“While we strongly reiterate the importance of waste containers at home, we passionately appeal and canvass for public cooperation, to combat a resurgence of waste on road medians, canals and other illegal spots.”

“We are assuring Lagosians of our total commitment to rid the environment of dirt. As we work day and night to make this happen, we urge you to support our efforts because the cleanliness of the state is a collective responsibility”, he stressed.

Odumboni noted further that despite the serious logistics challenges faced by PSP operators, as a result of the increase in the price of diesel, they had continued to provide services to tenements, adding that the Authority, in order to ensure effective turnaround time of waste collection trucks, had also ensured that landfills in the state are in proper shape.

“Before now, we had carried out massive rehabilitation work across our various landfills, to improve the turnaround time of PSP trucks servicing tenements and commercial facilities in the state. This has improved condition of the sites, paving way for seamless waste collection activities”, he stated.

For inquiries and complaints about services of waste management related issues in your area, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.

Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
24/06/2022

June 24, 2022 News No comments yet
ibrahimodumboni

LAWMA, Community Leaders Collaborate On Enforcement
… Igando-Ikotun residents tasked on waste policing

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reiterated its commitment to stamping out all forms of indiscriminate waste disposal in the state, by collaborating with various stakeholders, especially community leaders.

The Managing Director/CEO LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, made this known on Monday, stressing that the Authority had improved on waste policing activities across various communities, by strategically positioning personnel on ground, to monitor the environment.

He said, “The task of achieving a cleaner and livable environment is one that requires the involvement of all stakeholders. This is why we are working with community leaders to stamp out improper waste disposal, which has exposed our environment and people living in it, to various hazards”.

Odumboni said LAWMA’s enforcement team had embarked on a comprehensive statewide campaign, to arrest and prosecute those bent on causing environmental degradation in the metropolis, and derailing efforts of the Authority towards attaining a sustainable environment in the state.

“Our enforcement team has been made visible across various communities. They ensure total compliance with the environment laws of the state, arresting defaulters and the outlawed cart pushers in the process. Business facilities known to have contravened the laws are also being sealed off, to serve as deterrent to others”, he stated.

The LAWMA boss also charged Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, on community waste policing, for clean and sustainable environment, while urging residents of the area, to imbibe positive attitude change towards their surroundings.

He stated that community waste policing would create employment opportunities for the youths in the council, and would also forestall indiscriminate dumping of waste on roads medians and other unauthorised locations, as the youths monitored identified black spots across the council area.

“Community waste policing is a sure way to sustain good waste management. It is also a means of youth empowerment and revenue generation. So I urge the council lawmakers to examine their bylaws and do the needful”, he stressed.

Mr. Odumboni highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of recycling and waste separation at source, noting that the process would reduce the volume of wastes reaching the landfills, while also creating jobs.

He called on residents to cooperate with the Authority by bagging and containerising their waste, as well as patronising assigned PSP operators, whose job is to evacuate waste generated by tenements, stressing that the task of keeping the environment clean is a collective one.

signed
Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
13/06/2022

June 13, 2022 News No comments yet
LAWMA destroys carts

LAWMA Destroys 400 Carts
…..says cart pushers constitute security challenge

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has destroyed more than 400 carts, confiscated from pushers, who serially dump waste at unauthorized locations across the city, in clear violation of environmental laws of the state.

Commenting on the exercise which took place at LAWMA’s Ogudu facility, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, stated that the exercise which would be a continuous one, became necessary to weaken the ability of the cart pushers to return to business, and to decimate the cart population defacing the cityscape, stressing that the activities of cart pushers across the Lagos metropolis remained banned.

He observed that cart pushers posed a threat not only to environmental sustainability but to the security of residents, as many cart pushers harbour dangerous weapons like knives, machetes and others, to perpetrate criminal activities.

According to him, “Cart pushers are about the biggest threat to our effort at attaining environmental sustainability. We will not allow anyone or group of persons to derail the ongoing efforts to make the environment better. Criminal elements have hidden under this guise to carry out heinous crimes. If there are no carts to push, they will get other jobs.

“They pose as much threat to the environment as to the security of the citizens. It will shock you to know that many of them keep weapons like knives, machetes, etc, in their carts to attack and dispossess unsuspecting persons when the opportunity presents itself. One of such cart pusher was tried and jailed last week, having been apprehended at Victoria Island, vandalising and stealing government’s iron rods. There have been many reported cases of theft of movable items from people’s compounds traced to them”.

The LAWMA boss disclosed that opportunity was open for repentant cart-pushers, to step forward, get registered with LAWMA, given proper orientation, and trained as pickers and offtakers of recyclables, working hand in hand with other stakeholders in the waste management chain.

Odumboni maintained that government was not interested in taking away their means of livelihood, which however has to be within the confines of the law.

The LAWMA boss reaffirmed the agency’s total commitment to making the State’s city space an environment- friendly one, urging residents to join the Authority’s quest for a cleaner Lagos by shunning improper waste disposal, paying their waste bill and patronising assigned PSP operators.

Also commenting, the president of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, AWAMN, Mr. David Oriyomi, lauded government’s constant support for the association, promising a new era of fruitful collaboration with LAWMA.

Present were LAWMA’s Executive Director Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi; Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Olohunwa Tijani; Head, Enforcement unit, Mr. Idowu Sanni; and other stakeholders.

Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.) Director, Public Affairs
LAWMA

23rd May, 2022

May 24, 2022 News No comments yet

Court Jails Environmental Offender

A Lagos mobile court at Bolade Oshodi, headed by magistrate T. O. Fashina, has jailed for three months (3-months) a 32 year old environmental offender, Abubakar Sanni, who posed under the guise of cart pushing, to vandalise and steal iron rods at Karim Kotun area of Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, made this known on Saturday, following the apprehension and prosecution of the cart pusher.

He said, “The Authority wants to make it clear that cart pushing remains outlawed in the state. The menace of cart pushers has led to the rise of indiscriminate waste disposal, coupled with the fact that criminal elements now hide under it to perpetuate their crimes”.

Odumboni noted that the Authority, since the inception of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, had introduced various programmes and initiatives aimed at making Lagos cleaner and livable for all, as well as empowering PSP operators, to effectively discharge their statutory duties.

“Since the present administration assumed office, we have taken definite steps towards addressing waste management challenges in the state. One of such was, absorbing many of the outlawed cart pushers into the business of recycling, so as to preserve their livelihood. However, this magnanimous gesture of government shouldn’t be taken for granted,” he stated.

The LAWMA boss reminded the general public of the current offensive on all forms of environmental infractions, adding that the agency would not fold its hands and watch some people destroy efforts targeted at making the environment in the state a sustainably cleaner one, adding that anyone caught contravening the Environmental Laws would face the full wrath of the law.

“Our enforcement team has been repositioned to monitor the environment across the metropolis and ensure that environmental defaulters are arrested and prosecuted. Currently, some offenders have been arrested and prosecuted for various infractions. This will serve as a deterrent to those bent on eroding the recent gains made on environment,” he said.

Odumboni renewed his plea for environmental friendliness, urging residents to embrace the culture of bagging and containerising their waste, and patronising assigned PSP operators instead of cart pushers, who engage in indiscriminate dumping of refuse at road medians, canals and other unauthorised locations.

Residents were also admonished to call LAWMA toll-free lines 07080601020 and 617, for all complaints and inquiries on waste management related matters in their area.

Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
21/05/2022

May 21, 2022 News No comments yet

Embrace Waste Containerisation – LAWMA MD charges Lagosians
The Managing Director/CEO, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni (2nd right); rep. of chairman, Agege Local Govt., Hon. Gbenga Abiola (m); Baale Dopemu-Agege, High chief Shuaib Ajani Afogunlowo (2nd left); Agege Council leader, Hon. Oloruntoyin Najeem (L); and LAWMA’s Executive Director Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, during the Agege LG stakeholders’ meeting on solid waste management, held at the secretariat, on Tuesday, 22nd March, 2022.
The Managing Director/CEO, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni (2nd right); rep. of chairman, Agege Local Govt., Hon. Gbenga Abiola (m); Baale Dopemu-Agege, High chief Shuaib Ajani Afogunlowo (2nd left); Agege Council leader, Hon. Oloruntoyin Najeem (L); and LAWMA’s Executive Director Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, during the Agege LG stakeholders’ meeting on solid waste management, held at the secretariat, on Tuesday, 22nd March, 2022.

The Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni has charged residents to fully embrace waste containerisation, to aid seamless evacuation of waste, to prevent flooding, as the rainy season approaches.

He also enjoined Lagosians to procure the standard waste bins, for easy segregation and perfect containerisation of waste, in line with the recently launched “Adopt-a-bin” initiative.

Odumboni made the appeal on Tuesday, during an advocacy program in Agege Local Government and Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, in continuation of his stakeholders’ meeting, aimed at educating people across the 57 local government areas in the state, on waste management best practices.

He said the standard waste bins were durable and fitted with smart devices, making them some of the best obtainable anywhere in the world, noting however, that residents could choose to procure alternative bins to store their waste.

He said: “We are here today because your well being is our priority. Health they say is wealth. This is our watchword in LAWMA. We have come to encourage you to do the right thing at the right time, by procuring bins provided by LAWMA, you can pay by installment, rather than allowing refuse to litter carelessly on the streets. Those wastes alongside the ones dumped inside drainage would cause flooding when it rains. It can only get better, if we all cooperate to do what is right”.

“These two councils have developed tremendously overtime, I must commend the leadership of the councils for a job well done, especially in the area of environmental cleanliness. We want you to do more. Empower your youths, LAWMA will train them on waste policing, let them assist health officers and help carry out enforcement against recalcitrant tenements. Some of these unemployed youths can also key into the business opportunities in recycling by sorting recyclable wastes like pet bottles, cans, cartons, sachet nylons, e.t.c, which can be sold to companies; they can make money from it”, Odumboni stressed.

The LAWMA boss therefore implored the leadership of market associations in the councils, community development associations, artisans and residents, to patronise assigned PSPs, and desist from the patronage of cart-pushers.

In his speech, the chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, represented by the vice chairman, Hon. Gbenga Abiola, disclosed that an executive bill to support the environment and promote sanitation in the area would soon be passed.

“This initiative is indeed laudable. Lagos State always sets the pace while others follow. Here in Agege, we hold discussions on environmental cleanliness with our CDAs and CDCs and we have ensured perfect hygiene is maintained. We assure you that the theme of discourse will be spread across all wards in the council and a positive outcome will be achieved”, Abiola noted.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Community Development Area, Hon. Johnson Babatunde, represented by the Vice-chairman, Hon. Akanni Pedro Oluwatoyin, appreciated the Authority for organising the event, noting that it would contribute to positive attitudinal change among the people.

Also commenting, the Council Leader of Agege Local Government, Hon. Nojeem Oloruntoyin, assured that the legislative arm of the council, would enact laws backing youth empowerment in waste management, expressing optimism that it would go a long way in improving economic development of the youths.

For inquiries and waste management related complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.

Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
22/03/2022

March 28, 2022 Uncategorized No comments yet