Thousands of waste managers in Lagos and southwest states have endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the re-election bid of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.
The waste managers, under the aegis of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), popularly known as PSPs, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, promised to mobilize all its members for door-to-door campaign for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
National President, AWAMN, David Oriyomi, said it was Tinubu who brought in the PSPs in 1999 when he was governor of Lagos State in a bid to tackle the waste problems of the state.
“He nurtured and empowered us through the small-medium business model, and successive Governments built on this solid foundation. Lagos was transformed and received numerous accolades as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria and Africa.
“When our livelihood came under attack and 350 businesses were faced with the risk of bankruptcy. Asiwaju came to our rescue, by speaking out for us and hereby securing our livelihood.
“Today, the small business model established by Asiwaju has been replicated in over 9 states in Nigeria and other West African countries. It is, for this reason, we as an association are fully and wholly committed to voting and campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Next President of Nigeria,” he said.
Oriyomi also recalled that AWAMN was the first organization that endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu in 2018, saying that the association was pleased that he has “proven us right by the great work that he has done in the State and for the environment.”
“You will all recall that he inherited a heap of waste across the state, he started by declaring a state of emergency and backed it up with action leaving Lagos better than what he inherited. Now, under his leadership, waste is now seen as a resources and we are humble to be his foot soldiers to making circular economy a reality. We are committed to a Greater Lagos Rising,” he added.
Oriyomi pledged that the association would embark on a door-to-door campaign, to reach every nook and cranny of the state for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
Salary increase
Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made a brief appearance at the event, pledged to increase the salaries of waste managers in the state.
He called on them to vote massively for Tinubu, himself and other APC candidates for various positions.
Sanwo-Olu reminded them that it was Tinubu who brought in PSPs in Lagos, saying “this is where you eat, don’t listen to lies, we will increase your wages.”
Better performance
Also speaking, Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadri Hamzat told the waste managers that it was Tinubu who brought about the PSPs, which many states have adopted.
He said: “Tinubu knows the way, so, we should get our PVCs and mobilize others to get their PVCs to vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. Let them know that it is Tinubu we are voting for. When he gets to Abuja, he will perform.
“Many States in Nigeria now have KAI, LAWMA and LASTMA. Tinubu is our teacher. On March 11, we should come out and vote for Sanwo-Olu,” he said.
Solid foundation
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, said what has become AWAMN today had its foundation solidly laid by Tinubu many years ago.
He noted that “Since one good turn deserves another, it is only worthwhile that the association has mobilized its personnel in hundreds and thousands, for APC’s victory in next month’s elections.
“As an emerging mega city at the time, Lagos State needed to solve the challenge of solid waste management, which the administration of Asiwaju Tinubu as governor of the time, confronted frontally, leading to the emergence of the PSP operators,” he said.
Odumboni stated that through successive stages, they had evolved over time, wading through challenges, but ultimately leaving the environment and the cityscape the better for it.
He commended AWAMN, its executive and the teeming PSP personnel in demonstrating a massive show of support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition, and the re-election bid of Sanwo-Olu.
Chairman, APC, Lagos State chapter, Clergy Cornelius Ojelabi also urged the waste managers to vote massively for Tinubu for laying the foundation for a solid Lagos.
Olusola Akintonde
