…Unveils Mobile Apps to Check Illegal Waste Disposal in
State
Sanwo-Olu inaugurated the compactor trucks at an elaborate
event held at the State House, Alausa, a development adjudged as an
unprecedented intervention put forward by the government to address the
logistical and operational shortfall in collection of waste across the state in
line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of his administration.
Besides, the governor formally launched a mobile application
called “CitiMonitor,” which would enable monitoring and reporting of
environmental infractions, including indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The assets, comprised of 30 units of 12-cubic meter trucks,
60 units of 24-cubic meter trucks and 12 hook loaders, will be complementing
over 850 PSP compactor trucks to enhance service delivery in under-served
communities across the state.
The compactor trucks, each having three years warranty and
maintenance package, were assembled by LAWMA technicians in conjunction with
Dangote Sinotruk Manufacturing firm and were designed according to the local
requirements to aid the clearing of waste from generating points to
transfer-loading stations.
Sanwo-Olu, while speaking at the event, witnessed by
stakeholders in the waste service sector, including Private Sector Participants
(PSP) operators, said the new waste collection machinery were not being
deployed to edge the PSP operators out of the business.
According to him, the compactors would make trips only to
public places and major roads to take waste, while the PSP operators would
continue with their commercial and residential waste collections.
“Today, we are unveiling new equipment that will enable
LAWMA to effectively fulfil its mandate. This 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 the environment in line
with the Health and Environment pillar of our T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
“This intervention represents one of the largest singular investments ever in the waste management sector in Lagos. We are confident that the addition of these new assets to our existing ones will quickly bring about visible improvements in waste evacuation and reduce the incidence of black spots that blight our roads and clog our drains,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the residents to reciprocate the gesture by
promptly paying their waste disposal dues to ensure improved service delivery,
disclosing that LAWMA, in the coming weeks, would be rolling out an acquisition
scheme to assist willing PSP operators to replace rickety waste collection
trucks in their fleet.
The governor said the state government was fully aware of
the potential of a waste economy, stressing that the waste-to-wealth programme
of the state had started to take shape, given the expansion of the Lagos
Recycling Initiative.
He disclosed that there was ongoing rehabilitation work on
the State-owned compost facility in Odogunyan, Ikorodu, saying that the state
government had ramped up resources for the construction of three new
transfer-loading stations to provide the infrastructure that would facilitate
the effective disposal of solid waste.
“I urge Lagosians to take responsibility for the waste we
generate and act as responsible citizens at all times. We cannot continue to
litter our roads with filth, dump waste on the roadside or in illegal
dumpsites, or patronise cart-pushers for waste disposal.
“This intervention calls for a complete change of attitude
towards our environment, beginning with basic hygiene at home, proper domestic
waste management and ultimately, environment-friendly practices. The quality of
our environment directly impacts the quality of the lives we live. A clean
environment is a major weapon against diseases and other public health
challenges,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor also charged LAWMA workers who would be
operating the new implements to handle them with care and put them to good use,
reiterating that he would spare no effort in restoring the aesthetic of Lagos.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr
Tunji Bello, in his earlier address, said it was the second time the state
would be witnessing such massive intervention in waste management after the
2008 delivery of 100 compactor trucks to LAWMA by the Babatunde Fashola
administration.
“This is a remarkable accomplishment that will enhance the
cleanliness and adequate sanitisation. It is part of our resolve towards
helping to build the capacity of some of the private investors in the waste
management value chain. The real celebration would be when we look back in a
few months from now and can see commensurate improvement in the waste
management fortunes of the state,” Bello said.
LAWMA Managing Director, Ibrahim Odumboni, in his own
remark, said the compactors, by their design, were fabricated to address the
problem of liquids dripping from waste trucks, the snag, which he said, was
synonymous with second-hand trucks mostly use by PSP operators.
He said the new compactor trucks were fitted with sitting
compartments for waste collection assistants to prohibit hanging on the trucks.
Odumboni said the trucks would be distributed across the
four operational districts of the agency, while the double dino waste bins
would be stationed at muster points across major markets.
“We will not take this intervention for granted, because we
know that these assets have been acquired at great cost amidst economic
challenges and so many other competing needs. I assure Mr Governor and
Lagosians that these working assets will be properly looked after,” he said.
Representative of Waste Recyclers’ Association, Femi Idowu,
described the achievement as “laudable,” saying Governor Sanwo-Olu had further
elevated waste management as key development agenda in Lagos.
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