Lagos PDP tasks Ambode on LAWMA operations

Lagos state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has charged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to investigate the alleged attacks on Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) staff and takeover of their offices in many local government areas by an intending investor company.

The party made the call on Sunday in a release issued by its publicity secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, saying its intervention was on the heels of the decision of the Ambode led government to disengage with the services of over 350 PSP waste collector companies and replacing them with another single company that is partnering with foreigners.

The PDP recalled that Governor Ambode recently announced the planned ban of the PSP waste collectors, while the State House of Assembly also recently came from recess to fast track the passing of the bill fashioned under the “Cleaner Lagos” initiative.

According to the party, the good intention of the “Cleaner Lagos” policy will be short-lived, especially if the tested and experienced indigenous PSP waste collectors, with at least 100,000 staff are not strategically included in the scheme and in good faith.

“The idea of a “Cleaner Lagos” would be worth the efforts if the implementation is not to merely empower any crony whereas the economic and employment rights of many are violated.

“It is also the fact that there are now many court cases challenging the manner and unconstitutionalism in the implementation of this policy. The state government should exercise patience till after these cases are resolved. This is the Rule of Law and expected of any responsible people’s government.

“If the implementation starts without the grey areas resolved, especially the security of the existing jobs, the state will be worse off. For instance, the new company can only re-employ the sacked staff. This will amount to job recycling and not job creation as promised by Ambode. The incursion of investor company now known to have many foreigners is not good for our state’s security at this time as they will have access to homes and government offices unfettered in their contract to clear waste.

“It is our take that the good intention to improve waste clearing and have cleaner Lagos should be deployed to having the investor company establish Transfer Loading Station, Land Field Sites, Material Recovery Facilities, Waste Recycling Operations, etc. This will create new jobs,” the PDP said.