Exactly on the 1st of this month, most residents of Bammeke, Shasha in Alimosho LGA, Lagos, Converged on Oremeji Avenue to brainstorm on how to curtail the menace of rats and other rodents occasioned by the mounting domestic and industrial waste, most of which has not been disposed of for several months now.
This area, like most areas in the state, is being ravaged by rats and other rodents, causing residents to live in fear of Lassa fever and other diseases that can be transmitted from these rodents.
The PSP operators in charge of these areas hardly show up to dispose of the generated waste. For instance, NAKOD Ventures, located at Ogunala Shasha Road, which is responsible for the evacuation of waste from most places in Bameke, Shasha has not shown up for work for over six months now.
According to most residents of the area, “Even when they come, they only evacuate the waste of some companies and ignore the residential houses. NAKOD has not carried the waste of most residential houses for over a year now,” lamented Barrister John Sobowale, a resident of the area.
In most parts of Ikeja, the story is the same. At the Oladosun Street off Toyin Road, overflowing bins waiting for the PSP are strategically in front of houses. People who cannot bear the ugly sight and stench engage the services of Cart pushers.
Mrs. Joan Obasi, a resident of Festac, said that LAWMA has not been visible in their area making many residents prefer cart pushers.
In the Dopemu area of Lagos, the story is not different. Mercy Ogunjibi, a Dopemu resident said that LAWMA had not been consistent in the area. Ogunjibi said that LAWMA had the practice of evacuating their waste once in a month but barely shows up.
“We complained but there has been no change. They complain about the cost of diesel to power their vehicles. I don’t think that is an excuse because the LAWMA rate keeps increasing. I think they can do better”, Ogunjobi said.
Akunne Obiora who resides along Ago Palace Way Okota, said the majority of streets in the area make use of cart pushers because they are readily available and efficient.
As this reporter visited the NAKOD Ventures office situated at Shasha Road, she met furious customers who stormed the PSP office to complain that their waste had not been evacuated for months. The two male staff available declined to speak to the reporter or made the telephone number of the Managing Director available. The elderly female MD said the company had not been able to discharge their duties because all their vehicles were grounded.
Meanwhile, LAWMA, in a statement by its spokesperson, Kadiri Folashade, last week, said that it had intensified enforcement and clean-up operations across the state to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and maintain environmental sustainability.
The agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasised LAWMA’s unwavering commitment to keeping Lagos clean.
Gbadegesin said the enforcement team recently carried out major operations in areas like Ifako-Ijaiye, Dopemu, Agege, Ojodu Berger, and other parts of Lagos, apprehending cart pushers known for collecting waste and dumping it at unauthorised locations.
Lagos residents are saying that they patronize cart pushers because majority of the registered PSP are lackadaisical towards their duty. They implore LAWMA to work on their PSP. They claim that the PSP operators are nonchalant towards their duty because LAWMA cannot really weld the big stick on them.
The Ministry of Environment and LAWMA has the statutory mandate to make policies and manage waste across the state.
Despite its mandate, LAWMA has faced some significant challenges in the recent past that raised questions about its ability to meet its primary responsibility on the back of the rising population in the state, and a need for technology-driven waste management.
Lagos currently generates approximately 13,000 tons of waste daily, with only 40 per cent collected and disposed of properly. The remaining 60 per cent ends up in illegal dumpsites, waterways, or streets.
While PSP operators across the state have been saddled with the responsibility of last-mile waste collection, residents are of the view that LAWMA has not been up and doing well regarding its monitoring and enforcement of laws governing waste management in the state.
According to investigations on waste management, the consequences of LAWMA’s perceived ineffectiveness are far-reaching considering the environmental degradation of many parts of the metropolis.
A visible pointer to this ugly development is anytime it rains, it usually results in flooding, pollution, and ecosystem disruption, especially the traffic situation across the state whenever it rains.
“LAWMA must wake up to its responsibilities and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure a cleaner, healthier Lagos,” said John Sobowale. According to him, LAWMA’s perceived ineffectiveness has significant consequences for Lagos’ environment and residents.
However, Folasade Kadril, director, public affairs at LAWMA, said that the state’s waste management authority remains totally committed to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents.
Kadril said LAWMA is currently strengthening the operations of PSP operators, who are key to the waste collection and management process in the state. According to her, LAWMA is working closely with these operators to ensure timely and efficient waste collection services, especially in densely populated areas.
However, Sobowale disagrees with LAWMA on PSPs’ waste collection and management process in the state. He said that the ‘dirty air’ caused by poor waste management by LAWMA and the PSP operators calls for urgent re-tweaking of operation modalities.
She further urged the public to report any lapses in waste collection services or instances of illegal dumping through its toll-free lines: 07080601020 or 617.
