The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced clearing the backlog of waste around the city, largely through massive night operations between the hours of 10 pm and 4 am.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Authority, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, disclosed this while speaking on efforts of the Agency to clear waste indiscriminately dumped at some unauthorised locations by residents across the State.
While attributing the backlog to the scarcity and exorbitant price of diesel which has negatively affected the waste evacuation efforts of the PSP operators and the agency, Odumboni listed areas that have been covered by the operations to include Mushin, Oshodi, Ejigbo, Lagos Mainland, Apapa axis, Surulere, Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Lekki axis, Victoria Island and Ajah among others.
His words: “I had stated earlier that we will capitalise on the cessation of rainfall and progress made on the rehabilitation of our landfills to clear the heaps of waste. The strategy has paid off as we have successfully cleared waste in most areas of our Lagos Central I and II, as well as East I and II districts.
We are happy at the pace of progress, and the operations will continue until all parts of Lagos are covered”.
The CEO further appealed for support from residents to stem the tide of improper waste disposal by bagging and containerising their waste, as well as patronising assigned PSP operators, warning that anyone caught dumping waste indiscriminately would be made to face the law.
“We are appealing for cooperation from all residents to restore sanity to our environment. Bagging and containerisation of waste, while waiting for evacuation by assigned PSP operators, remains an effective means of curbing indiscriminate waste disposal. Anyone caught dumping indiscriminately would be sanctioned accordingly”, he said.
He enjoined residents with complaints and enquiries on waste management-related issues in their areas to call LAWMA toll-free lines 07080601020 and 617 for prompt intervention.
