As Lagos State Waste Management Authority,
LAWMA, battles to rid Lagos of garbage and
other unwanted materials in spite of daunting
challenges, refuse generation in the megacity
has risen from 10,000 to 12,000 metric tonnes
per day.
Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola
Oresanya who disclosed this attributed the
increase to the cosmopolitan nature of the
state with its attendant population explosion
of over 22 million in a relatively small land
mass, which he said is tantamount to a
population of four countries, put together in
West Africa.
According to Oresanya, LAWMA evacuates at
least 12,000 tonnes of refuse daily against
10,000 earlier being generated.
He said that given the cosmopolitan nature of
Lagos State, it was expected that large
volumes of waste would be generated by the
people regularly.
Rapid population growth, coupled with
unbridled urban pollution, is among the many
health and sanitation challenges facing the
city.
Oresanya who expressed determination of the
state government in rising up to the occasion
of ensuring filth free Lagos, identified
unwholesome attitude of most of the residents
as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse as
a major challenge to the agency in recent
times.
He stated, In Lagos we generate daily average
of about 12,000 metric tones and you know
what 1,000 tonnes looks like; 1,000 tonnes
will fill 100 trailers.
Lagosians still have this bad habit of throwing
wastes from their cars and still dumping
wastes in unauthorised areas. Though the
habit is reducing but it s a major one and we
are addressing it while we will continue to
appeal to them, (residents) through
sensitization and moral suasion.
Oresanya added that due to the efficiency
recorded in refuse management, the agency
was making efforts to absolve through
licensing, more Private Sector Participation
(PSP) operators to improve the current
capacity of waste collection and disposal and
improved service delivery.
While stating that the PSP operators have
been agitating for the upward review of
charges, the agency has not approved any
increase in service charged by the operators,
saying any operator that is charging above
the normal approved charges should be
reported to LAWMA.
He disclosed that a number of PSP operators
found wanting in the discharge of their duties
had been sanctioned appropriately. However,
the sanction is a corrective rather than
punitive measure.
Currently, PSP operators charged N500 per
flat and N200 per shop on a monthly basis for
waste collection.
He therefore, enjoined anyone not satisfied
with any of the operators or who wishes to
pass other information to reach the agency
through the following toll free lines: 5577 and
07080601020.
Effect of Apapa gridlock on LAWMA activities
Worried by the recent traffic gridlock
experienced in Apapa Wharf and environs,
LAWMA, has raised alarm on the negative
impact on its operations in the area in recent
weeks and therefore decided to shift its
operations in the areas to night time.
LAWMA said the measure became necessary
following thorough assessment of the
situation, having observed that PSP trucks
found it difficult to access the areas in the
execution of their duties.
Oresanya, stated; For this reason,
management of LAWMA decided that waste
collection and disposal services in Apapa,
Wharf and its environs will be carried out by
the assigned PSPs at night until further
notice.
The agency has established various
programmes to consolidate on the job of
waste management in the state, and these
include the introduction of additional mini-
trucks to cater for the needs of inner
communities in the state, establishment of
safety corps marshals for road sweepers,
involving the youths in business of waste
management and lots of others.
Despite the current unpleasant traffic
situation, the authority is giving the total
assurance that it will not relent in its resolve
to deliver efficient waste management services
to the people of Lagos no matter the
circumstance.
Meanwhile, the organization implored all to
desist from patronizing cart-pushers or any
form of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on
major highways and drainage canals.
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