As the world commemorates Children’s Day, Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has tasked parents on early teaching of waste sorting and recycling to their children and wards, to build a sustainable environment for the future.
He said this at the agency’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, as LAWMA celebrated with children, featuring a series of educational activities and games designed to engage children and raise awareness on environmental sustainability.
Gbadegesin highlighted the significance of instilling proper waste management habits in the younger generation, stressing that parents had an important role to play in educating their children about recycling and waste sorting, noting that early education on these topics was essential for fostering environmentally responsible citizens.
He said, “Teaching our children about recycling and proper waste management is required for the future of our environment. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that they understand the impact of their actions on the planet. By incorporating these lessons into their daily lives, we can nurture a generation that is conscious of their environmental footprint and committed to sustainable practices.”
The LAWMA boss stated that the Authority’s commitment to environmental education extended beyond Children’s Day, as the agency had been actively involved in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting waste management education in schools and communities across Lagos State, which included school outreach programs and community clean-up campaigns.
“As an organisation, LAWMA is dedicated to creating a cleaner and healthier Lagos. Our efforts in promoting waste management education are part of our broader mission to foster a culture of environmental responsibility. We believe that by educating our children, we are laying the foundation for a greener future”, he noted.
In her goodwill message, Director of Environmental Education Unit, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Monsurat Banire, represented by Mrs Olufunke Olaleye, commended the Authority for investing in children, noting that children were the greatest investment.
She said: “When we involve children in anything we do, we are assured of a better and sustainable future. The Ministry of Environment knows the value of environmental education and that is why we have the unit to raise you all as environmental ambassadors, who will preserve our planet. I celebrate you all and I wish you a wonderful celebration “.
Also speaking, the head of LAWMA Academy Training and Development, Mrs. Bola Adewumi, noted that the Authority was committed to raising children to become ambassadors of sustainable environmental practices, urging the children to maintain a positive attitude to the environment, to make it people-friendly.
Other LAWMA Management staff who gave their good will messages were: Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Kadiri Folashade; Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mr. Oluwakemi Sulaimon; Director of Admin and HR, Ms. Ranti Dosunmu; Deputy Director, Commercial Services, Mrs. Abimbola Opayemi; Deputy Director Medical Services, Health and Safety, Dr. Modupe Okoh; Deputy Director , Waste Management Research, Policy and Development, Dr. Essien Nsuabia; Deputy Director, Circular Economy, Mrs. Jirinsola Okubanjo; Head Customer Care and Corporate Engagement Unit, Mrs. Aramide Olaniyan, among others
For more information about LAWMA’s initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.
As the rains approach, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has completed the rehabilitation of Olusosun dumpsite, to ensure smooth waste disposal operations across the state.
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who made this known in a statement on Thursday, said the maintenance effort was aimed at improving operational efficiency in anticipation of the rainy season.
He said, “Our primary objective in rehabilitating Olusosun dumpsite is to ensure that waste disposal trucks can navigate through the dumpsite seamlessly, even in adverse weather conditions, especially during heavy rainfall when logistical challenges tend to arise”.
Dr. Gbadegesin stated that, in addition to the recently completed maintenance efforts, LAWMA was focused on enhancing operational efficiency to improve turnaround times for waste disposal trucks, adding that the rehabilitation would significantly reduce queue times, translating to faster and more effective waste collection services.
“Our commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond operational enhancements. We urge residents to join us in prioritising responsible waste disposal practices to safeguard our environment”, he stressed.
The LAWMA boss further highlighted the importance of proper waste disposal, urging residents to avoid dumping waste in drains, especially during the rainy season, known for disrupting the drainage system and posing serious environmental risks to lives and properties.
“We encourage residents to patronise accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators for their waste disposal needs. By supporting licensed operators, individuals contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for all”, he reiterated.
The Managing Director emphasised the importance of residents familiarising themselves with their PSPs, who play a vital role in waste management at the local level, adding that, by understanding and engaging with their designated PSP operators, residents could ensure efficient and effective waste disposal services in their communities.
“We are committed to facilitating this process by publishing detailed PSP contacts for all areas in the state. This initiative aims to empower residents to take ownership of waste management practices in their neighborhoods, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for all”, he assured.
For more information about LAWMA’s initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has served 343 contravention notices on construction sites at various locations around the state in the last one year.
Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this at on-going ministerial press briefing to mark one year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said the notices were served on them for not complying with the construction waste regulation procedure supervised by LAWMA.
Wahab added that 354 new introductions notices were issued to construction firms within the same period while enforcement was carried out on 10 recalcitrant sites.
According to him, “LAWMA in the last one year has served no less than 343 contravention notices on construction firms at various locations in the state, for not complying with the rules and regulations governing construction waste management. It is the responsibility of the Construction Demolition and Disaster Waste Department of LAWMA, to work with construction firms, for smooth evacuation of waste generated by them. But some of them are not playing by the rules, hence the notices”.
Speaking further, he said the agency identified 103 black spots around the state, which LAWMA at various times mobilised its operations men to clear.
He said, “It is a sad commentary that despite persistent public awareness, warnings and actual enforcements, some residents still refuse to patronise assigned PSP operators, preferring to dump waste in canals, on road medians and other illegal points. This habit must stop”.
The commissioner also disclosed that LAWMA, through the Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources, had signed an MoU with the State Government and Jospong Group, on waste treatment solutions.
He noted that the MoU entailed identifying existing landfill sites, for proper re-engineering of solid waste management system, to generate employment.
Still on the activities of LAWMA in the last one year, he intimated that the agency had worked with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), to identify locations for the installation of plastic recycling facilities, adding that the move was aimed at mass removal of plastic items from the environment, and for job creation.
He stated further, that the Marine Unit of LAWMA, had additional 5 rafters within the last one year, to aid the collection of on-shore and off-shore waste.
On markets in the state, he noted that LAWMA had a year round stakeholders engagement, considerably improving hygiene practices, waste containerisation and evacuation among others.
Wahab reminded residents who indulge in defacing the environment, that LAWMA, within the time under review, apprehended and prosecuted about 1,100 defaulters, a majority of whom were sentenced to hours of community service or fined various sums of money.
He contended that to sustain the current momentum of achievements by the agency, stakeholders engagement, public enlightenment must continue on all media platforms, sending messages on efficient waste management best practices to all strata of society.
The commissioner commended LAWMA Academy for continuously expanding its reach of pupils for waste management education, which averaged 1,400 pupils in eight primary schools across the state.
Wahab lauded LAWMA for prioritising 24-hour response time to complaints, urging residents to shun reckless waste disposal at unauthorised locations, to avoid harsh environmental consequences as the rains approach.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment, to combat the spread of malaria.
He said this in a statement marking this year’s World Malaria Day, themed: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.
The World Health Organization (WHO), had noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, occurring mostly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and remaining a major global challenge.
He said that while malaria was primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the prevalence and severity of the disease could be significantly reduced through preventive measures, anchored on a clean environment, as one of the most effective strategies.
According to him, “In the fight against malaria, prevention is key. One of the most effective preventive measures is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by ensuring a clean and hygienic environment. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, waste dumps, and other unhygienic areas. By keeping our homes and surroundings clean, we can significantly reduce mosquito population and consequently, the transmission of malaria.”
Gbadegesin urged residents to actively participate in efforts to maintain a clean environment, by shunning indiscriminate refuse disposal, cleaning their surroundings, and patronising assigned PSP operators, adding that individual actions could have a significant impact on public health outcomes.
“Each of us has a responsibility to keep our surroundings clean. By properly disposing of waste, eliminating stagnant water, and adopting good sanitation practices, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the devastating effects of malaria”, he stressed.
The LAWMA boss reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness and public health, with effective collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste across the state, while also implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of environmental hygiene.
“As the world marks World Malaria Day, I want to reassure residents of LAWMA’s total commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and public health. Through collaborative efforts between government agencies, communities, and individuals, a cleaner and healthier environment can be achieved, leading to a significant reduction in the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases”, he stressed.
For more information about LAWMA’s initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.
