We’ve Expended N2bn to Maintain Dumpsites, Says Sanwo-Olu

…Hands over 102 waste compactors, 100 double dino bins

Segun James

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday disclosed that the state government has expended over N2 billion on rehabilitation and maintenance of dumpsites across the state in the last two years.

The governor further disclosed that additional N1 billion would be spent on three new transfer loading stations to provide the necessary infrastructure of solid waste management service.

He stated this during the inauguration of 102 new waste compactor trucks and 100 double-dino bins at Alausa, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We are gathered here today to unveil new equipment that will enable the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to be more effective in fulfilling its mandate on behalf of the people of Lagos. This event is a testament to our administration’s determination to secure the public and environmental health of the state, as well as to improve the aesthetic value of our environment.

“In our governing agenda encapsulated as THEMES, solid waste management represents a crucial cog of the health and environment pillar. Our promise was to empower LAWMA to effectively drive the elimination of waste accumulation in Lagos and the adoption of recycling state-wide, as well as to harness the potential for job creation and other opportunities in waste recovery, reuse, repair, remanufacturing and materials innovation.

“Crucially, and this goes to all LAWMA staff, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. I am entrusting these new implements to your care; they must be put to good use, they must be handled responsibly and well-maintained, and Lagos must be kept clean!”

The governor appealed to the residents against non-proper management of waste.

According to Sanwo-Olu, “In the course of our daily lives, we all generate waste, and we must take responsibility for the waste we generate. We must act like responsible citizens at all times. We cannot continue to litter our roads, dump waste on the roadside or in illegal dumpsites, or patronise cart-pushers for waste disposal.

“It has been said that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing and yet expecting a different result. We cannot be irresponsible in our waste handling and disposal behaviour and somehow expect that we will be spared the consequences of irresponsibility.

“We are also fully aware of the potential of the waste economy. Our waste-to-wealth plan is taking shape, and as we are rehabilitating the compost facility in Odogunyan, we will also unveil more projects and programmes in the coming months.

“Let me be clear on this, our intention here is not to disenfranchise the Private Sector Participants (PSPs). In fact, our view is that waste management should be private sector driven, and the role of the government, through LAWMA, will be primarily to provide support to PSPs. I am therefore pleased to announce that among other things, we will shortly be rolling out a programme to assist PSPs to renew their waste collection fleet.”

While delivering his welcome address, the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said: “Lagos is presently confronted with the enormity of the challenges of managing more than 13,000 tonnes of solid waste,” saying with the 102 trucks, it would go a long way in managing solid waste in the state.

In his remark, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, said: “The Authority has faced acute shortage of compactor trucks to do critical intervention assignments. With waste generation on the increase on a daily basis, it has been a challenging task till date.

“The governor has graciously illuminated our path, positioning us for progress and better performance. Accordingly, therefore, the trucks will be distributed among LAWMA formations and operational districts for effective coverage of the state and for optimal performance.”