The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, has vowed to clear illegal dump sites around FESTAC Town and the entire Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state.
Odumboni made the promise at a stakeholders’ meeting with residents and various interest groups, on LAWMA’s community clean-up campaign, at the council secretariat, FESTAC Town.
He assured them of total clearance of the heaps of refuse within a couple of weeks, with their cooperation and attitudinal change.
Odumboni frowned at the poor environmental hygiene of the residents, as he condemned their nonchalant approach to waste management and environmental care.
According to him, the situation cannot continue like that for a community once known as the cleanest in the state.
“There are no fewer than 42 dump sites in Amuwo-Odofin. This place is extremely dirty.
“You are only concerned about cleaning your houses, while the waste is deposited outside, littering the environment; causing diseases and sickness to others.
“It is about time you stopped giving excuses and do the right thing. I want to let you know that enforcement is going to be beefed up in the next three weeks.
“We will apprehend any environmental defaulter engaging in indiscriminate dumping and cart pushing business.
“You need to mobilize your youths and empower them to police the black spots within the community. Invite the youths and have a bye-law to back their operation.
“LAWMA will support you by training them. Get them uniforms for identification and let them arrest outlawed cart pushers.
“It is high time we did the right thing by taking responsibility for our waste. Patronize PSPs and pay for waste service.
“Waste bill payment is sacrosanct,” he said.
Odumboni urged the council to work with residents to engage youths in the area to police the black spots to end the reign of illegal dump sites, adding that it will bring local solution to the perennial problem.
He advised the council officials and residents to consider the idea of voluntary monthly environmental sanitation, as recently endorsed by Shomolu Local Government, for total transformation.
The Amuwo-Odofin Chairman, Dr Valentine Buraimon, poured encomiums on LAWMA, for its spirited effort at transforming the cityscape, as noticeable around the metropolis.
He said that his council would do the needful, to help the agency return FESTAC Town and the entire Amuwo-Odofin, to the old glory of beauty, neatness and sustainable environment.
Also speaking, the Iyaloja of Omotanwa Market, FESTAC Town, Alhaja Atinuke Shittu, appealed to market people and residents, to sort their waste for recycling, to reduce the volume of waste meant for landfills and to make money.
The Secretary-General of FESTAC Town Residents Association, Mr. Justice Unanka, advised the PSP operators to change their tactics and business approach to earn revenue more easily from residents.
By Fabian Ekeruche
