Lagos Waste Management Authority LAWMA has outlined strategic plans to ensure effective waste management in Lagos State in the coming years, with a promise to ensure environmental sustainability.
The Managing Director/CEO of the agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin gave this indication in Lagos at a one-day stakeholders’ interactive forum on sustainable waste management held at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.
During his presentation, Gbadegesin reminisced on the feats recorded so far and periscope ahead on how the state hope to manage it’s waste.
LAWMA boss who hinted that the state would soon acquire 100 CNG trucks for the operations of Private Sector Participants PSP, said that the state generates about 5.46 million tonnes of waste annually, which LAWMA aimed to manage through a range of initiatives, anchored on effective collection, treatment, and disposal.
He said, “We are committed to providing efficient waste management services to all Lagosians. With our team of dedicated staff, we manage domestic,
commercial, and medical waste across the state.
We also sweep 963 routes and collect solid waste from the lagoons and waterways”.
Gbadegesin revealed that a large portion of the waste generated in state came from households, with LAWMA overseeing its transportation and treatment through partnerships with 420 Private Service Participants (PSPs), adding that the efforts were supplemented by sweeping services across major streets, managed by 16,361 street sweepers.
He further highlighted the Authority’s waste recovery initiatives, emphasizing the growing focus on recycling and circular economy principles, pointing out that LAWMA had introduced a two-bin system for households, where one bin stood for general waste and the other for recyclables.
According to him “This system will help households segregate waste at the source, boosting recycling efforts and reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills. We have already established community recycling centers and are partnering with retail points to promote extended producer responsibility.”
He also mentioned that the agency has concluded plans to permanently shut down the landfill sites at Olusosun and Solous in Igando and transform it to renewable energy stations.
Collaborations
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr. Rotimi Akodu, called for a collaboration between the key players in the sector while re-echoing the numerous initiatives and projects of government to ensure cleaner and sustainable Lagos State.
Proffering solutions
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, lauded the event as an important one, capable of proffering solutions to waste management challenges in the state.
Gaji who was represented by Director Sanitation, Dr. Hassan Sanuth said the peculiarity of the Lagos environment made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to tackle a myriad of environmental constraints facing the metropolis, urging the populace to join hands with the state government, to make the environment better.
Executive Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Mr. Kunle Adebiyi said solid waste management has been a pressing issue in the modern world driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization and population growth, stressing that the state government is working is on top of the game to address the challenges.
Adebiyi who mentioned that Lagos generates an average of 13,000 tons of waste daily said that such a forum will allow a stakeholder to jointly examine all workable options available and fine-tune strategies, to ensure the state remains on top of the situation
Other presentations
The president of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAWN), Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment to transforming the environment and waste management system in the state, While urging cooperate organisations to embrace the “Adopt-a-bin” initiative, as a CSR strategy, to enable every household in the state procure the bins.
Doyin Oyefusi, Head of Marketing, Wastecare Solutions and Resources Management, enlightened participants at the event on the features of the LAWMA smart bin and the advantages they have over other types of bins.
She said that the smart bins were equipped with RFID chips for tracking waste collection to ensure prompt service by PSP operators, came with Geo location for easy tracking if misplaced, feature color-coding to support waste separation (green for general waste and blue for recyclables), and are designed with a 15-year warranty for long-term durability, making them highly efficient compared to traditional bins.
The Managing Director of Maladase Ecopreneur Management Limited (MECOM), Engr. Mayowa Elefin, in his presentation titled, “Recycling: Impact on the Environment”, talked about the importance of recycling to the environment, including reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emission, conserving natural resources, saving energy and promoting sustainable practices.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
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