PSP operators proffer solutions to waste problems in Lagos metropolis

Afraid of what negative effects rains would pose to effective waste management in Lagos, and apparently to consolidate the successes achieved by the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), in waste evacuation across the metropolis in the recent time, PSP operators have suggested a six-point agenda that would help in preventing unsalutary development in the process.

Apart from urging Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to bring all the operators and Visionscape Sanitation Solution together to fashioned out the best way to deal with waste problems in the state, they noted that there are few things to do to ensure that the situation doesn’t get out of hand.

In a statement signed by the Chairman, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWMA), Mr. Oladipo Egbeyemi, the group recommended that waste problem be tackled at the point of generation by enforcing government’s policy of ‘door-to-door collection; ensuring that all the existing dumpsites are accessible at all times, especially, during the rain; That the need for massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes for the people and enforcement of sanitation practices of bagging and containerisation of wastes should be embarked upon.

Other suggestions are the provision of sustainable enforcement for noncompliance to ‘house-to-house’ disposal and non-payment and that all stakeholders should remain committed to the rule of engagement by avoiding any measure capable of creating division and anarchy in waste management.

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“We are proud of being responsible for making Lagos a clean state, but we are saddened to see wastes returning to our beloved city. Besides, we are not ready to yield to official blackmail rather, adhere strictly to continue work, despite the air of uncertainty that surrounded this sector in the past two years, especially, the state of dumpsites”. Said Egbeyemi.

Similarly, a member of rival group, under the aegis of Concerned Waste Collectors (CWC), Mrs. Bamidele Hussein, while praising Governor Ambode for allowing her group to be working, claimed that it’s their love for the state that made them to resume activities and not the desire to make money.

Responding to the allegation by Association of Waste Managers in Nigeria, accusing Concerned Waste Collectors as betraying the struggle for better business climate, Hussein said the former are not being considerate.

“Yes, all of us went to court at the beginning of this struggle. But having realised that we want to jeopardise the health of our people by not collecting wastes, and for the fact that  government has agreed with some of our terms, the most responsible thing is to go back to work, which our partners refused to do”.

As part of effort to address the issue, Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said that the sanitary landfill currently being built in Epe is in steady progress.