The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cleaner Lagos Initiative

  • What we’re doing is long- term –CEO Visionscape

    Chief Executive Officer, Visionscape Sanitation Solution, John Irvine, in this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, speaks on the organisation’s mandate vis-à-vis the Lagos waste challenge, the experience in the last 18 months, achievements and the plan to develop a sustainable waste management system in the state.

    TELL us the vision of Visionscape; what are your core roles?

    Firstly, Visionscape Sanitation Services is an environmental utility company. So, it is not just about sanitation services. We have businesses in the key continents across UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and we provide services that range from water management, power generation from solid waste and plastic recycling. So, we are almost a facility company.

    Can you clarify on the players in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative?

    Certainly. Obviously, there are numerous stakeholders and we are just a small cup in a larger platform. Our mandate within the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) is to manage the door to door residential waste collection and subsequently the disposal and diversification of the waste. What I mean by disposal and diversification is to put a sustainable plan in place for the future. Not just to collect the waste, because anybody can collect the waste. You and I can collect the waste. It is what we do to the waste that matters. So, our mandate is to collect that waste and develop a strategy in place. We have the PSP’s and the WCO’s, who help us in collecting the waste. At the back of that you have the MOE (Ministry of Environment), they are in charge of the CSW’s (Community Sanitation Workers); then you have the state environmental sanitation corps, who are supposed to be the enforcement agency, along with Lagos State Government and of course, the state environmental agencies, itself. So, our client is the state and the state is our client; we are all working together, ultimately to ensure the project works for CLI.

    Is it true that VSS has taken over from the other stakeholders in the sector? What is the situation?

    Let me clarify that; there have been some misconceptions in the last 18 months. As a company, we responded to the international tender alongside so many other international companies. We were very fortunate to be shortlisted and awarded the project by the state government. At no point was it ever intended to displace or replace those participants from the previous PSPs. However, because of the novelty of this project and the high volume of Lagosians, we were asked to change the pattern slightly and concentrate on infrastructure. That then gave us the opportunity to reach out and embrace the former PSP’s to come and assist us and work as CWO’s. There is enough room in the chain for everybody to deliver this.

    The population is huge; how can Lagos, like other emerging markets, have a sustainable waste management strategy?

    There is really no difference. Just this morning, the same question popped up. In every government department and strategies, you find that waste, no matter what markets, would always be the bottom half. That is because there is health, there is education; I am not saying it is not important but priorities have to take place. And the only difference between Lagos and other emerging markets is the huge influx of population. We didn’t realise how much of a population was here. Yes, we have the figures; people say the figures are between 24 or 25 million and that really makes no difference because that population is increasing daily. But you can’t invest in infrastructure daily, it is not possible. There must be some giving points. That is why the state decided to bring the CLI to address the environmental issues.

    How do you intend to scale up infrastructure to meet with these demands? How long would this take?

    Our original mandate was to collect the waste generation from door to door. When we started that project, it became apparently clear, very quickly, that even though our mandate entitled us to take over the concession on some infrastructure, our internal plan with the government to start developing infrastructure wasn’t going to be quick enough. That was when we reached out to the WCO’s to assist us, so we could develop that infrastructure. Mind you, this is not just for the next 5 or 6 years, what we are doing now is for the next 25 years  and I think that the people need to understand that this is not something we can do overnight. There has to be a process. What we don’t want to put in place is something that would fail in 15 years time. It is for the next generation and that is the process that we are dealing with at the moment.

    What does your monitoring and intervention team do?

    We reached out to the former PSPs, who have been reassessed by the government and renamed WCO’s, and they work for us directly. So, we pay these WCO’s and we cover the whole state; from Badagry to Epe, every LCDA and ward is being covered. If you look at the focus of our work, what happens is that when the WCO’s get to a place, let’s say Apapa and his vehicle breaks down and a client phones up the MOE (Ministry of Environment) that his waste has not been cleared today, that is where they come in; our M and I team would come to Apapa to evacuate the waste, until that vehicle is put in place. Not just that, we do what is called illegal dumpsites. Between August last year and now, we have done an excess of 20,000 of such sites and the problem we have is with enforcement. This is where the state government comes in for enforcement through the MOE and of course, the sanitation corps.

    What is the ECO Park Project in Epe all about?

    Previously, what happened was that these dumpsites were all over the state. It is not that they have been mismanaged, but because of the high volume of residence in Lagos, the waste generated is faster than the existing system. So what we decided to do is bring a segregated programme. What happens is that no waste is treated unless it gets to Epe. We collect from Lagos and it is taken to the TLS (Transfer Loading System), moved by the larger trucks. When the waste gets to Epe, it is segregated into paper, plastics, glass and metal. The real trash has no environmental value and it is then buried in a different way. We construct an engineered hole in the ground that allows us to control the bad water and also control the methane gas which can be used for irrigation. We can change that to green water and use it for irrigation; we can even clean it further and make it into potable drinking water; same for the gas. We can harness the gas and turn it to fuel. If we are just dumping the waste, it can’t last more than six years; so we are putting a strategy in place that will last for generations. That, ultimately, is the zeal and that is what we hope to do.

    What is the future of sustainable waste management in Lagos State?

    Ultimately, the future plan is to have a cohesive transparent system. What I mean by that is that you and I as residents need to confirm that when we dispose our garbage, it is being treated to show that nothing harmful would come from it. So, the future system would come from that knowledge that we use today. We have invested in our trucks, it’s big and we don’t need to have ten trucks all over the place. Where the economy comes in is that we are employing thousands and that means that they would have more disposable income. That improves the GDP for Lagos state and that is where economic development comes in. They in turn contribute to the taxes of the state government.

    How do you contribute to local content, empowerment and capacity building?

    As a CEO my job is not just to run a contract here. I have other duties round the globe. I have a moral obligation to make an impact. You may come back in six months and find a Lagosian in my seat. We need to empower the people to understand the commitment that the state government has done. We want to deliver these aspirations and it is important to embrace the Lagosian and let them understand what we are doing. So, our management style is clear communication. That is why I am willing to talk to people myself; I go out to places; marketplace, schools, to make people know that we are here to deliver something special and we are in the process of doing that.

    The plastic waste is a serious problem, how do you intend to tackle that?

    Not just here. It is a global problem. Look around to sister African countries.

  • We’ll address waste challenges before rainy season, LASG assures

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said all hands are on deck to holistically address the challenges being experienced in waste management with the implementation of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), assuring that the issue would be addressed before the rainy season.

    Speaking at the annual Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, said the CLI was introduced last year to foster broad reforms in solid waste management, saying that the scheme remained the panacea for delivering efficient, effective and sustainable environment with its attendant benefits such as job creation, cleaner, safer and healthy environment.

    Responding to question on state of refuse in public places, the Commissioner said the government, in partnership with all stakeholders, was working hard to address the challenge, just as he assured that it would soon be a thing of the past.

    “Very soon, Lagos will be very clean. We are working hard in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure we address the challenges. Both the government and the residents will jointly address the challenges and with Visionscape and the Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators working together, and the cooperation of the people, the challenges would soon be over.

    “We know that our population is increasing as available statistics indicate that 85 people enter Lagos every hour and very few of them go back, and as more people come in, the waste generated in the State is also increasing but we are working to put the right infrastructure and equipment in place to address waste management.

    “However, one thing I can assure the people is that we are working and in another one month before the raining season, it will be over. We know that the raining season is fast approaching and we are also preparing but I like to assure that soon, the challenges will be surmounted,” Durosinmi-Etti said.

    He said 13,958 Community Sanitation Workers (CSW) have so far been employed to sweep inner streets in the 377 political wards in the State, with recruitment exercise still ongoing, adding that under the new arrangement, the sweepers would be directly supervised by the Ministry, while mechanized sweeping would be managed by three companies – Avatar, Wastercare and Corporate Solutions.

    He said the PSP operators have now been charged with the responsibility of managing residential and general waste collection, while Visionscape now has the mandate of implementing waste management infrastructure development across the State, in addition to intervening in public waste collection to cover any service lapses that may occur.

    On infrastructure, the Commissioner said the retrofitting of Transfer Loading Stations in Agege, Oshodi and Lagos Island had attained over 80 per cent completion with plans for more, while Epe Landfill under construction had achieved remarkable progress with completion of the weigh-in bridge, adding that government in partnership with the private sector would soon commence another engineered hazardous landfill in Erikiti, Badagry.

    He also said the responsibility for maintenance of drainage infrastructure across the State had been ceded to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, while based on ongoing efforts, the challenges to residents following the fire at Olusosun dump site would soon be over.

    Speaking on other activities of the Ministry and its agencies, Durosinmi-Etti said the State Government rapidly increased access to safe drinking water by adding 10million gallons per day to bring water supply to 220MGD within the last one year, adding that a total of 48 mini waterworks were rehabilitated in Ikeja, Surulere, Onikan, Epe, Ikorodu, Dolphin, Ajangbadi, Victoria Island, VI Annex, among others.

    He said the 220MGD was in addition to Iju and Adiyan Phase I major waterworks with 45MGD and 70MGD capacity respectively, while work was ongoing on 70MGD Adiyan Water Treatment Plant Phase II, 4MGD Ishasi waterworks, 2MGD Imeke-Iworo waterworks and 2MGD Oke-Odo mini waterworks.

    To enhance environmental sustainability, the Commissioner said the State Government, in the last one year, commissioned JJT Park in Alausa, Rafiu Jafojo Park in Shasha and Badagry Recreational Park, while six new parks have been earmarked for development in Oregun, Iponri, Ikotun, Queens Drive, Iganmu and Epe, in addition to establishment of a florist’s village in Osborne, Ikoyi to enhance the greening programme.

    He said government, through the Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK) propagated over 100,000 nursery plant seedlings of various species with the period under review, while it cumulatively planted 7,388, 096 trees.

    In the area of noise pollution, the Commissioner said the government treated a total of 1,185 petitions out of which 60 per cent were abated, while the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) arrested 2,097 environmental offenders comprising illegal street traders, hawkers, highway pedestrian defaulters, environmental nuisance polluters and cart pushers, among other achievements.

     

  • Stakeholders meet on Cleaner Lagos Initiative

    INDISCRIMINATE dumping of refuse is inimical to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, Igando- Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Mrs Morenike Adesina-Williams has said.

    Mrs Adesina-Williams, who spoke to stakeholders on the new environmental sanitation policy, said the enlightenment this became because many people were caught dumping refuse indiscriminately. She advised them to stop and support the LCDA in its bid to make the area refuse free. ‘’Don’t put refuse on the roadside or on the median. Rather, put them in front of your house where they would be picked by officials of the refuse disposal firm,’’ she said.

    She later unveiled and distributed refuse bags.

    The LCDA Head of Environment Mrs Temitayo Salami harped on proper refuse disposal and environmental cleanliness, noting that a dirty environment scares away investors and tourists.

    Aravindu Valmeikal, Operation Manager Visionscape International Utility Group, handlers of Cleaner Lagos Initiative project, said it was the plan of his firm to make Lagos as clean as Singapore. He asked for the support of the people for his work.

    Meanwhile, the LCDA has flagged off the construction of Anthony Ababe/Ashimi Street in Ijegun Mrs Adesina-Williams urged the firm handling the project to expedite action on the work to meet the six-month deadline. She appealed to the people to cooperate with the contractors to see the work through.

  • 57 council chiefs : we’re for Cleaner Lagos Initiative

    The 57 council chiefs in Lagos State yesterday threw their weight behind the waste management policy tagged the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    Rising from a meeting on the resurgence of refuse on major highways  across the state, they said the policy would lead to a comprehensive and world class waste management system.

    They urged residents to cooperate with the government during the transition period.

    The council chiefs praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his vision to improve  the environment through a total sanitation solution and engagement of an environmental utility group, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, to implement the policy.

    A communiqué read by their  Chairman, Mrs Omolara Essien, attributed the refuse in some parts of the state to the transition period. She appealed to residents to be patient with government.

    The chairmen said: “We appreciate the enormous difficulties and the challenging logistics which the establishment of a new agency to collect waste for 22 million residents would present to any government in any circumstances. Therefore, the current presence of waste is a result of the transition from an old system that was considered not efficient enough to a new system which effectiveness has also been recorded in other parts of the world.

    “We are aware that Visionscape has successfully set up its system in Lagos State. It has employed personnel to carry out many of these functions. It has also been able to receive some percentage of its equipment which it is deploying gradually to residential areas and also trying to evacuate waste.

    “Unfortunately, the bad practice of taking residential waste to road median which was the practice of those who wanted to avoid paying PSP contractors in the old era has continued and is threatening to sabotage the current efforts of the government to quickly evacuate waste. This has been worsened by the activities of the cart pushers who collect money from innocent citizens but dump their refuse on the medians.”

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan assured residents that the government would clear the waste from road.

    He urged residents to desist from patronising cart pushers.

    “What we are witnessing is a phase, but the government has mobilised all its machinery and you can see that the local governments and local council development areas are also on board to ensure that we evacuate this waste in the shortest possible time,” Bamigbetan said.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on CLI Mr. Rasheed Shabi said the government had done extensive awareness in the local governments, adding that it  is also collaborating with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) to get Lagosians ready for the new phase of waste management.

    Shabi said efforts were being intensified to clear waste dumped on the road within  72 hours.

  • Cleaner Lagos: 100 vehicles for clean up project

    Cleaner Lagos: 100 vehicles for clean up project

    To make Lagos a cleaner city and rid it of dirt, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions,  currently in a public-private partnership with the Lagos State Government, has received a consignment of a brand new 100 vehicle waste management fleet embedded with cutting-edge technology.

    The consignment, which consists of a series of waste trucks from various rear end loaders to operational vehicles, will be deployed for the new environmental policy of the State encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    The company according to a statement  is set to begin operations across the State to roll out the next phase of the project.

    The CLI was established to address, enforce and regulate the challenges in the solid waste management systems within Lagos State. The initiative is focused on improving the environment to make it cleaner, safer and healthier for all residents, as well as improving operational efficiency.

    “The addition to the waste management fleet is in line with our commitment to provide integrated waste management services, using state-of-the-art equipment and innovative solutions to help transform megacities,” said Thomas Forgacs, Chief Operations Officer, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions.

    As a pioneer in environmental solutions, the Visionscape trucks are fully equipped and embedded with cutting-edge features, which includes a Global Positioning System (GPS), radio-frequency identification (RFID), and automotive Controller Area Network (CAN bus) system.

    “These innovative features are designed to meet the operational needs facing waste management across the State. Using these systems, Visionscape will be able to thoroughly monitor and track the State’s waste collection process, ensuring the trucks are seamlessly deployed for effective waste collection, and all communities within Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and Local Government Areas (LGAs) are covered efficiently.

    Dirt on Lagos street . Photo by Olaoluwa Joseph

    “In the last six months, we have surveyed all of Lagos State and collated vital data to make our operations highly effective. We therefore understand population density of the communities and areas that will be serviced, even up to the number of streets and households across the State. This preliminary assessment has aided us to know the amount of waste that will be generated in any particular location”, Forgacs stated.

    Visionscape currently holds the residential waste collection contract for the State, and the management of three operating waste transfer loading stations, which are currently being renovated, under LAWMA.

    Visionscape has also begun construction of West Arica’s first engineered landfill in Epe. To-date, the company has successfully cleared over 1,000 litter black spots and illegal dumpsites across Lagos State, as part of the pre-operational phase.

     

     

    Dirt on Lagos street. Photo by Olaoluwa Joseph
  • Lagos initiates new waste management reforms – LAWMA

    Lagos initiates new waste management reforms – LAWMA

    Mr Segun Adeniji, General Manager, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), says the waste management challenges facing the Lagos metropolis will soon be over when the state government’s reforms take effect.

    Adeniji gave the assurance on Friday in an interview in Lagos.

    He said that the new waste management reforms were aimed at ensuring a cleaner environment in the state.

    “Our waste management sector is currently undergoing a major reform. In March last year, a new bill was signed into law on the waste management sector, producing a single legislation that covers the entire environment sector in the state.

    “That same law has made LAWMA a regulatory body, as against the time when LAWMA was only carrying out 90 per cent operations and 10 per cent regulations.

    “From this year henceforth, all operations will be carried out by a competent body called Visionscape International, and the agency will handle all waste and refuse issues,” he said.

    Read also: LAWMA: We are not owing sweepers salaries

    Adeniji said that 35 per cent of the equipment required for the onset of waste evacuation in the Lagos metropolis had arrived.

    According to him, the company will commence the clearing of waste in a fortnight with the available equipment.

    “We will soon start living under the conditions of a new programme called the `Cleaner Lagos Initiative’ ( CLI ) in the next few weeks when the equipment rolls out.

    “The little challenges we are facing now are due to the withdrawal of services by the Private Sector Participation ( PSP ) operators, who had issues with the state government because of the new reform about to take place, which made them stop collecting the waste.

    “The residents, too, were not cooperating by paying their dues for refuse collection services but I assure the residents that pockets of refuse seen here and there will be a thing of the past once the CLI becomes operational very soon.

    “There will be a little pain for us to get a greater joy,” he added.

    Adeniji said that dumpsites were being prepared for the new reform programme, while reconstruction works were underway at the Epe dumpsite.

    “In the next few months, two dumpsites will be constructed in Ikorodu and Badagry for effective waste disposal services,” he said.

    He called on Lagos residents to exercise more patience, as intervention trucks had started going round to evacuate the waste which was generated during the recent festive period.

    NAN

  • Traders embrace Cleaner Lagos Initiative

    Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) has taken its awareness campaign to major markets across the state.

    This is to ensure traders and artisans in the state play their parts in achieving a cleaner and safer environment.

    The CLI team visited Bariga, Computer Village, Mile 12, Oyingbo, Mushin, Idumota, Oshodi, Agege, Ajah, Lekki, Yaba and Orile markets.

    The visit was led by Nollywood actor/comedian, Oluwatoyin Bayegun a.ka. Official Arole.

    The traders were entertained with playing of trumpets, skating and dancing.

    A vegetable seller at Oyingbo market praised the state government’s efforts towards providing clean environment.

    She said: “You know our customers like neat environment. If the environment is dirty, it will make them stay away. But if we have a clean market, it means many people will come.”

    She urged the government to ensure that the Public Utility Levy (PUL) rate that will be charged be affordable.

    At Mushin Market, the traders engaged the CLI team with several questions regarding waste management. They were also given waste free bags to dispose their refuse.

    The state government will soon announce a hotline through which residents can directly make enquiries, complaints or offer suggestions on waste management in Lagos State.

  • In support of Cleaner Lagos Initiative

    In support of Cleaner Lagos Initiative

    To capture the essence of the all-encompassing Governor Ambode-engineered Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), one has to take a critical look at the challenges faced by one of the fastest -owing cities in the world – Lagos. The first is an ever- exploding population, conservatively put at about 21 million. The other is that Lagos generates the largest mass of waste in the world. The amount stands at 13,000 tonnes daily compared to that of New York of 10,000 tonnes. That, indeed, constitutes a clog in the wheel of the machinery already set in motion and being well oiled by this government for Lagos to assume the status of a smart, safe, sound and appealing 21st Century city.

    Yet, with not a few residents caught in the web of sheer apathy, lukewarm approach to sanitation and ignorance of the health and economic benefits to their livelihood, driving home the message of a more comprehensive and holistic cleaner city has therefore, become imperative.

    Add these factors to the deficient, previous waste management system which left out the  fringe parts of the city such as Epe, Badagry, Badore, Ijegun, Ikotun-Egbe and the picture is complete. With the potential to generate some 27,500 jobs, including drivers and waste generators, spread all over the 3,950 wards in Lagos CLI is a most welcome development. What more, each waste manager goes home with N27,000 monthly salary as compared to N12,000 in the past. This is a dream initiative that must see the light of day. So glad too, that those still in the employment of the outgoing management would be retrained and retained. What a good-hearted governor Ambode is!

    Yet, unknown to good Lagosians insinuations are rife that a few unpatriotic elements, greed-driven profiteers who have been milking the state through the institutional loopholes of the outmoded system are hell-bent on frustrating the genuine efforts of the current administration. Too bad, one would say!

    Yet, it triggers the pertinent, burning questions: Are they aware, for instance, that Governor Ambode’s drive to provide a cleaner, safer and healthier environment falls in tandem with the wave of the Green World concept now sweeping across the globe? Do they realise, that “it is aimed at promoting a harmonised and holistic approach to the challenges; and as a result, improving operational efficiency”?

    Do they, in their silent moments reflect on the fact that if the CLI does not kick off now, the deleterious effects would negatively affect the health status of future generations? And that,  it will come back to haunt them too as they may not find Lagos, or any part of the country for that matter,  a safe haven to enjoy their illicit gains? The timeliness of the Initiative is therefore, highly commendable.

    For instance, for a first-time visitor to Lagos city the sight of the Olusosun Waste Deposit, which stinks is an unwelcome embrace. It was built during the administration of Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) and ought to have been relocated long before now. Governor Ambode has  rightly identified it for shutting down, treating it with the most modern chemical mechanisms available and converting it to another edifying bus terminal, befitting of a smart city.

    As in New York, Dubai, India and Singapore to mention but a few, Ambode’s CLI aims at distinguishing between household and industrial wastes for more effective treatment and management. For instance, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulates waste streams produced by residents, businesses, and other organisations. Reuse, recycling, and other ways to reduce waste go a long way toward saving money and are always preferred to direct disposal.

    Also, individual consumers are prohibited from disposing any electronic waste by the municipal sanitation department. There, NetTech Electronics Recycling provides solution when it comes to recycling of electronic equipment and computers in a responsible and environmentally safe manner.

    Similarly, in Dubai efforts in waste management include converting waste to energy, treating wastewater and controlling the movement of hazardous waste. There are new technologies for  improved waste separation and collection systems.

    As for India, waste management methods include material recycling, waste processing (Resource Recovery) and  waste transformation.  There is a clear distinction between municipal (residential, institutional, commercial), agricultural, and social (health care, household hazardous waste, sewage sludge). Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on health, the environment or aesthetics.

    In tandem with such listed modern practices, CLI is geared towards addressing, enforcing and regulating the challenges in the solid waste management systems within the state. In specific terms it would focus on efficient waste collection process as well as efficient street, highway, drainage and waterway cleaning process.

    Besides, a new environmental law with the aim to change the way waste is collected is in place. Enforcing new rules will be the function of the Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), with the evolution of the Kick Against Indiscipline (K.A.I.). What more, the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) has been empowered to regulate the sector. Also, the Lagos State Environmental Trust Fund (LSETF) has been created exclusively for environmental related expenditure and activities. There is also the state-of-the-art waste management fleet, with fully kitted operators and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

    All these laudable features would facilitate the sustained drive of Lagos becoming the greenest city in Africa by 2025. They  encompass the improvement of  the quality of water by addressing treatment of wastewater and sewage. The environmental remediation projects will take good care of degradation, reducing the accumulation of solid waste, promoting best practices, including reducing, reusing, and recycling.

    Also, there will be the drastic reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. A deliberate prevention of public littering and improper disposal of waste will no doubt reverse and reduce the impact of climate change. Ultimately, Lagos is working towards the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

    With Caleb University agreeing to partner the state government on environmental issues, all hands must be on deck for its sustenance. Proper and modern waste management disposal will guarantee the people’s health and wellbeing, create jobs and put food on the table.

    Ambode should, therefore, not capitulate to the sheer blackmail of the self-righteous traducers and enemies of the people but focus fully on achieving the aims and objectives of CLI. They are salutary, noble and praise worthy. As the wise ones say, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’.

    • Baje, a media consultant and public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.
  • Waste management takes revolutionary approach in Lagos

    Waste management takes revolutionary approach in Lagos

    Waste management is a major challenge in every metropolitan society. Lagos is no exception. Fifth columnist are not helping matters. But Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has unveiled a revolutiuonary approach that promises to turn the state to the cleanest in the country, WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

    With a population of over 22 million, Lagos had course to grapple with resurgence of waste in major parts of the state. The development was attributed to the new waste management policy of the state government encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI). Yet more than casual observers noted that the sudden appearance of waste in some parts of the city, was the handiwork of those who are not comfortable with the policy and have vowed to stand against its implementation.

    However, they have their match in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Last Wednesday, he told Lagosians of how the new policy, when fully implemented from next month, would indeed transform the waste management subsector and bequeath a functional, healthier and livable environment to the people of the state.

    The ultimate goal of the initiative, said the governor,  is to make the mass of the people healthy, and when the people are healthy, they are likely to be more productive and productivity according to him, is about services and goods, which in turn, will translate to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State.

    The assurances of the true intention of the new policy came to fore at the 2017 Third Quarter Town Hall Meeting, the 8th in the series, held at the Badore Ferry Terminal in Ajah.

    Addressing a large gathering of politicians, artisans, concerned Lagosians and residents at the meeting, which was specifically designed by his administration to intimate people about the policies and programmes of government and as well get the necessary feedback, Ambode said he deliberately asked that the meeting be held at Ajah taking into account the flooding recently witnessed in the area, and to assure the people that government was working round the clock to comprehensively address the challenges once and for all.

    He urged residents of the State to be patient with government on the Cleaner Lagos Initiative billed to commence next month, saying that the policy which is a holistic and comprehensive waste management plan was currently in its gestation period.

    He said once fully operational, waste would be collected in line with international best practices, while all parts of the state would always be kept clean.

    The governor, however, urged residents to adopt new attitude to disposing waste and desist from dumping in drainages and canals, assuring that the government would provide adequate bins to discourage indiscriminate dumping.

    While giving further explanation, the governor said: “The question to ask is why are people putting their waste in the drains and canals hoping that somehow the water will flush it away? The answer comes back to government because we have not been able to provide the people with enough bins or places where they can put the dirt.

    “They cannot leave the dirt in the house so they must have a channel to get it out. Another question is, has government been able to provide enough locations, bins, bags and so on? where they can put that refuse and then we can collect it and when we collect it efficiently, as part of their attitude, they will not go back to the canals and the drains. They will only go back to where we have provided for them.

    “Now, do we have enough equipment to clean Lagos? Are we having enough dino bins, plastic bags, compactors that can go round the population of 22million people? The answer before now is no. We are the largest waste producer in the world more than New York. New York produces 10,000 tonnes of waste every day, the waste accounted for in Lagos is 13,000 tonnes per day, not to talk of areas that are not documented.

    “Do we have enough equipment and compactors? We don’t have, but how do we get it? We have not increased the taxes you are paying. The population is increasing and by that fact the waste is increasing and we have not increased revenue. But we need new equipment. Some people were doing it for us before but we all saw the equipment they have been using to clean up the State and the truth is they can never do it right.

    “If we say we want to be a smart city and globally competitive, we must use the approach that allows you to collect waste in a globally competitive way and that is what we have done with the CLI without me punishing tax payers. We have a partnership that provides 600 brand new compactors without me paying one naira yet and with the partnership, we will provide 27,500 sanitation workers in all our wards across the State, who will be uniformed and clean Ikorodu, Ayobo the same way they clean Victoria Island and then they will provide bins where our people can now have the culture and attitude to put their dirt in the bins instead of putting it in the canals and drains,” Ambode said.

    Ambode said the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development chairmen have been mandated to ensure constant cleaning of the environment, while officials of the State Government would be moving round to evacuate waste.

    Under the CLI, apart from the 600 brand new compactors that would be used to collect waste, 900,000 electronically tracked bins would be provided in homes across the State, while wastes generated by the commercial sector would be handled by licensed private sector participants waste managers otherwise known as PSP operators.

    The dump sites in Olusosun, Igando and other areas which had been major eyesore would be closed for Engineered Sanitary and Engineered Hazardous Landfills which are being constructed by the new partners, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited. For efficient collection and disposal operations, the State Government has also concessioned three Transfer Loading Stations/Material Recovery Facilities at Agege, Oshodi and Simpson and three Waste Depots at Mushin, Ogudu and Simpson with the aim of rehabilitating and retrofitting the facilities to world class standard.

    In addition, while the 27,500 sweepers would be deployed to all the political wards in the State to keep the inner streets clean, mechanised sweeping equipment would be deployed to all the highways to prevent the incidence of sweepers being hit by oncoming vehicles.

    Speaking on other issues at the Town Hall Meeting, Governor Ambode said work on the proposed expansion and reconstruction of the Oshodi-International Airport Road would commence next month, while plans are already underway to commence the construction of 181 local government roads also next month.

    On the Oshodi-International Airport Road, Governor Ambode said the construction, which has already been awarded, would see the transformation of the road from four lanes to 10 lanes, from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop commuters to the Local Airport.

    It would be recalled that in May 2017, Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo approved that the road be handed over to the Lagos State Government for total reconstruction.

    Ambode, who had described the current state of the road as a national disgrace, said that work would begin in earnest come September.

    On the delay in the commencement of rehabilitation of 181 inner roads, Governor Ambode said the development was due to the fluctuation in dollar rate at the time the bid was last opened, but that a new bid would be opened in the next two weeks, while work would commence in September.

    “By the next two to three weeks, I will reopen the advert to get a new cost and all things been equal the job would start on the roads by end of September,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also assured residents that the State Public Works would seize the period of the break of the rainy season to fix all potholes across the State in order to improve drive time for motorists.

    As part of the initiatives to enhance commuting within the State, the Governor said new modern bus terminals would be constructed commencing from this quarter in Marina, Ajah, Ojota, Agege, Iju Ishaga and Iyana Ipaja, while as part of the integrated transport system, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would be constructed to connect Badore Jetty to Ajah.

    Ambode also said that his administration has earned the trust of Lagosians in the last 26 months, adding that taxes paid have been judiciously utilised to make life more comfortable for residents in the state.

    He thanked Lagosians for cooperating and helping his administration to translate its visions and plans for the state to reality, noting that without their taxes, it would have been impossible.

    “I urge all other taxable individuals yet to join the tax net to go to the nearest Lagos State Inland Revenue office to register.  Feel free to honour your civic obligations.  We believe we have earned your trust.  Every kobo paid as tax will be judiciously used for the good of Lagosians.

    “Our government feels emboldened by the tremendous support and cooperation you have continued to give us. This was also evident in your action of July 22nd when you voted massively for the All Progressives Congress during the just concluded Local Government elections,” Governor Ambode said.

    He added that the Badore Road would be expanded at its entrance from Ajah Roundabout, while plans are afoot to construct Oke-Ira Nla Road as an alternative to totally eliminate traffic along the axis.

    Responding to complaints by a resident of the axis, Mrs Abiodun Dina on the activities of dredgers who are fond of spoiling the road and parking indiscriminately on the road thereby subjecting people to avoidable traffic snarl, Ambode said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down businesses, he said the government would have to wield the big stick if the dredgers fail to comply with rules of engagement.

    The town hall meeting had in attendance the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly, top government functionaries, party chieftains, traditional rulers, among others.

  • Lagos warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Lagos warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents dumping refuse indiscriminately on the streets and dredgers sand filling wetlands to desist from such unwholesome practice or face the wrath of the law.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare who stated this on Friday in Lagos whilst fielding questions on a television programme said the PSP operators could not cope with the quantum of waste being generated in the state estimated to be 13,000 metric tons per day.

    He said the PSP operators erroneously believed that they were being put out of business and assured them that they were still an integral part of the loop as attested to by the on-going re-certification exercise of the operators.

    He disclosed that the Lagos State Government was tackling the knotty waste problems in the state in a comprehensive manner with the assistance of about 12 consortiums including Visionscape, a globally acclaimed environmental utility group that would confront the issue with technology, better funding and germane solutions under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative which will become fully operational in September.

    He said that what was currently being experienced was just the transitory period aggravated by acts of saboteurs and dredgers involving only transportation of waste, adding that under CLI refuse will be a resource to the government.

    His words: “Under the CLI, waste would first be collected from all the 377 wards in the state before being transported to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where they would be sorted out into nylons, papers, bottles and organic wastes for recycling. About 27, 500 workers would be employed and they would earn slightly more than the minimum wage, enjoy medical and life insurance as well as injury cover. They will not spend money on transportation as they would be recruited from their neighbourhood”.

    The Commissioner assured residents and indigenes of the state that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would deliver on all his promises, adding that Lagos State would be the first state in the country to surmount the problem of waste disposal.