Ibrahim Odumboni, the CEO/Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, has charged residents in Apapa and the surrounding areas for a cleaner environment.
He encouraged them to take proactive steps to rid the environment of illegal dumpsites and total eradication reckless waste disposal practices.
Odumboni gave the charge at Apapa Local Government Secretariat during the inaugural stakeholders’ meeting and public sensitization with residents and other stakeholders.
He said that residents can form a formidable waste police team to enforce this objective.
LAWMA boss stated that it was time for the Authority and residents to engage with all stakeholders to get rid of filthy council and establish a new regime of cleanliness.
“Apapa Local Government Chairman has been at the front burner of ensuring that this council gets rid of indiscriminate waste disposal.
“We will start by ensuring that a transfer loading station is sited at Apapa, once the Council Chairman can provide us with land for that purpose for easy evacuation of waste by PSP operators. This will improve the efficiency and aesthetics of the Local Government as well as the environment.
“Operators in Apapa would adjust to a convenient timing, preferably at night, for now, to cart away refuse, due to the persistent traffic gridlock in this area.
“Residents and shop owners should also reciprocate by ensuring prompt payment of waste bills. It is important to facilitate the smooth running of the operations of the PSPs”, he said.
It is time for the community to integrate local policing in order to stop the activities of cart pushers in Apapa. This has been done successfully by Epe and Ibeju-Lekki Local Governments.
“You can achieve this too by engaging your youths to man specific areas, notorious for a cart pushing business, to arrest the perpetrators. This is the way to go”, he added.
He also encouraged people to refrain from indiscriminately dumping into drainage channels and canals. He also encouraged residents to get involved in recycling by segregating their waste at source to earn additional income.
Diverse stakeholders worked together to assess the situation and to identify the obstacles. They all concluded with a promise to work towards the ultimate goal, which was a clean and attractive Apapa Local Government.
Alhaji Ganiu, Vice Chairman of Apapa Local Government; Alhaji Fatai, Chairman of Apapa APC; Executive Director of LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, senior management staff of Authority; the PSP operators assigned the axis; market leader; CDA/CDC executives, and other dignitaries were also present.
