LAWMA Urges Residents to Shun Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Residents of Lagos State have been implored to support government in maintaining a cleaner environment and to shun all forms of indiscriminate waste disposal capable of exposing the populace to environmental health dangers.

This appeal was made by the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Olumuyiwa Gbadegesin, during his inspection of the agency’s operations in the Apapa area of the state.

Mr Gbadegesin said there would be zero tolerance against such acts and defaulters would be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

“We are calling out to people statewide that we should stop indiscriminate dumping of waste. We are pleading with residents to use trash bags to dispose their wastes and to also make sure that you have a covered waste bin at home. We don’t want people dumping wastes by the roadside because this puts us at risk of epidemics,” he said.

The LAWMA boss stated that the organisation would stop at nothing to rid the state of filth across its three operational districts, stressing that the agency would pay special attention to black spots including Mile 2, LASU Gate, Okokomaiko and Badagry among others.

“We’re here to monitor the on-going clean-up exercise, which is in furtherance of the Executive Order on Environmental Sanitation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin noted that the authority had stepped up its operation despite the accessibility challenge faced by evacuation trucks, adding that sweepers had been deployed in their numbers for a thorough cleanup of the axis which extends to LASU gate, Okoko, Badagry and Seme.

According to him, “As you are aware, Apapa has accessibility challenge but we are determined to confront the challenge and get the job done and that is why we are here. Our sweepers are here in their numbers sweeping the highway and clearing the silt. This exercise extends to other areas like Okoko, LASU Gate, Badagry up to Seme”.

The LAWMA CEO revealed that the agency had started bulk waste evacuation from major locations, motorised collection of waste from kerb side; placement and regular collection of waste from appropriate receptacles and waste prevention activities which involve closure of illegal waste locations otherwise known as black spots.

Mr Gbadegesin added that PSP operations were being repositioned to meet the household waste management needs of residents, while Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other stakeholders are currently engaged in LAWMA’s massive public enlightenment campaign to ensure that cleanliness is restored to all parts of the state.