Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State, has appealed to residents to be patient over delays in refuse evacuation across the state. She made the appeal during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Mafoluku area of Oshodi-Isolo local government area. Residents had complained about delays by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in clearing refuse and hike in waste collection charges. Dr. Sanwo-Olu assured them that the state government is working on a new waste management strategy.
The First Lady monitored the exercise and commended residents of Mafoluku for bagging their refuse instead of dumping it beside drainage channels. She noted that a waste truck was already evacuating refuse in the area, though slower than expected. Dr. Sanwo-Olu also called for improved waste separation, noting that recyclables were still being mixed with general waste. She emphasized the importance of separating waste, citing the presence of bottles with dry and wet waste.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu attributed the delays in refuse evacuation to operational challenges at dumpsites. She explained that PSP operators face a long turnaround time for trucks to dump dirt at dumpsites, sometimes taking two to three days. The First Lady urged residents to bear with the government, describing the situation as a teething problem that would be overcome with time.
The First Lady lauded the participation of schoolchildren in the exercise, describing it as a strategy to instill environmental consciousness. She also disclosed that the Ministry of Environment would soon introduce competitions and awards for cleanest communities to sustain the momentum. Dr. Sanwo-Olu admitted that Lagos had yet to attain the desired level of cleanliness but noted that awareness was improving.
Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, led the monitoring of environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos Mainland local government area. He noted that the essence of the exercise was to encourage people to come out and clean their environment. Agoro observed that people were becoming more proactive, but desired to see residents already outside cleaning their environment before the government's monitoring.
Agoro emphasized that environmental sanitation had come to stay in Lagos and was not a one-off event. He noted that sensitization and advocacy on the importance of a clean environment to health were getting across to residents. The Head of Service encouraged people to do better and realize that environmental sanitation was a continuous effort.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engineer Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that public participation in the monthly sanitation had increased significantly compared to when it started. The exercise, now in its sixth month, had seen improved turnout of residents. Rotimi-Akodu and other officials are working to ensure that Lagos remains clean, with all hands on deck to address the challenges.
Key points
- The Lagos State government is working on a new waste management strategy to address operational challenges at dumpsites.
- Residents are urged to be patient over delays in refuse evacuation, which is described as a teething problem.
- The state government aims to sustain the momentum of environmental sanitation through competitions and awards for cleanest communities.
