The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has embarked on a motorised advocacy campaign, to key areas of Eti-Osa Local Government, to sensitise residents on sustainable environment, as part of activities marking the Authority’s observance of World Cleanup Day.

Adopting the theme, “Make Room for Life”, the roadshow kicked off at Lekki Toll Gate, covering Ilasan, Jakande Bus-stop, Maiyegun Beach Road, Eleganza Bus-stop, Ajah, to Abraham Adesanya, to raise awareness about environmental cleanliness and resource management of waste in Lagos State.

Speaking on the significance of the campaign, LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, stated that the campaign was part of the agency’s larger effort to mobilise individuals, communities, and organisations to take immediate action towards a cleaner environment.

He said, “Our goal is to drive a change in behavior and attitudes towards proper waste management in Lagos. Through this motorised advocacy, we aim to engage residents of Eti-Osa and beyond, encouraging them to adopt better waste disposal habits and embrace programs such as our Adopt-a-Bin initiative and Recycling efforts.”

Gbadegesin said the campaign was also aimed at addressing pressing waste management issues in the area, especially illegal waste dumping and cart pushing, which had posed a significant environmental challenge.

The LAWMA boss noted that the occasion of World Cleanup Day served as a reminder of the need for Lagosians to adopt sustainable waste practice, like waste sorting, recycling, and the use of designated bins, adding that the practices were key to reducing the amount of waste on the streets and landfills.

The roadshow, which involved the usage of English and the three major Nigerian languages: Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, focused on encouraging residents to adopt responsible waste disposal practices and featured advocacy on the importance of sorting, bagging, and containerising waste.

A significant part of the campaign was on LAWMA’s “Adopt-a-Bin” initiative, which highlighted the introduction of new geo-located smart bins, equipped with RFID panels, designed to prevent theft and enhance waste management efficiency for residents, aligning with Lagos State’s vision of becoming a smart city.

Head of LAWMA’s Advocacy Unit, Mr. Adewunmi Adetona, who addressed residents and business owners, at the event, advocated for the use of smart bins, to achieve the state’s goal of a clean and sustainable environment, adding that cleanliness in the city was essential for fostering economic growth and investment opportunities.

LAWMA’s Ambassador, Alhaji Sikiru Ademola Junaid, popularly known as Lemon, played a key role, engaging and educating the community through music, rendering the “Keep Lagos clean and recycle waste” song, to drive home the importance of waste separation.

On the campaign train were heads of LAWMA’s various departments and units, including street sanitation sweepers, medical staff, neighbourhood watch, enforcement personnel, as well as officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), demonstrating a collective commitment to achieving a cleaner and smarter Lagos State.

For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or  visit www.lawma.gov.ng.

… calls for residents’ involvement in cleanup activities

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has scaled up operational activities to tackle the challenge of marine waste along the Lagos coastline, in commemoration of this year’s World Cleanup Day, with the theme: “Arctic Cities and Marine Litter”.

To this end, it has intensified efforts to rid water bodies in the state of waste debris, through the deployment of marine waste operatives, to mitigate the environmental and health hazards posed by marine litter along the coastline.

According to the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Lagos with a thriving coastal ecosystem, faces significant challenge of indiscriminate dumping of waste into its rivers, canals, and lagoons, leading to growing accumulation of marine litter, threatening the state’s rich biodiversity and human health.

He said, “We are deeply concerned about the rising level of waste that finds its way into our waterways. Marine pollution is not only a local issue, but also a global challenge, especially for cities along the coast like Lagos. LAWMA is committed to ensuring that we rid our water bodies of the litter that endangers both human and marine life”.

Gbadegesin stated that LAWMA had spearheaded an initiative aimed at combating marine waste, with the agency’s Marine Waste department, playing a pivotal role in clearing waste from Lagos waterways using specialised boats and equipment, with the efforts further supported by community sensitisation programs, to educate residents on proper waste disposal and recycling, particularly in coastal areas.

“Our Marine Waste Unit has recorded tremendous success, removing tons of waste from our waterways. But this challenge requires collective responsibility. We urge residents, especially those living in coastal and riverine communities, to be more responsible in waste management. Every piece of litter that ends up in the water poses a serious threat to our environment”, he added.

The LAWMA boss said that, as part of activities for this year’s World Clean-up Day, the Authority organised clean-up campaigns across waterfronts in the state, urging the populace to show a sense of responsibility in the quest to preserve aquatic and human lives in the metropolis.

He said further that the Authority would embark on motorised advocacy in the coming days, in Lekki and Ajah axis, to sensitise residents on the dangers inherent in dumping waste indiscriminately, especially in water bodies.

“World Cleanup Day is an opportunity for everyone to take direct action. Our waterways are a vital part of Lagos’ identity, and it’s our collective duty to protect them. I urge all residents to join us in cleaning up the city, not just because its world cleanup day but we should make it a habit. It’s not just about today; it’s about instilling long-term habits that prevent waste from reaching our water bodies”, Gbadegesin stressed.

For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.

…Encourages Private Organizations to Embrace Corporate Social Responsibility through Community Sanitation

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has called on private organizations and residents to adopt streets and communities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to enhance environmental cleanliness across Lagos State.

Dr. Gbadegesin who spoke on both Lagos Television’s “The Conversation” and Channels TV’s “Sunrise” programs emphasised the importance of community involvement in maintaining sanitation, urging businesses and individuals to play a more active role in the cleanliness of their immediate environments.

“Adopting a street or community is an excellent way for organizations to contribute meaningfully to the city’s cleanliness efforts. It goes beyond just placing bins; it’s about taking responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of entire neighborhoods. This initiative will also serve as a strong CSR strategy, benefiting both the environment and the organizations involved,” Dr. Gbadegesin explained.

Speaking further, he linked the recent cholera outbreak to poor environmental practices such as open defecation and illegal waste disposal, stressing that these could be mitigated through sustained community sanitation efforts. He added, “Sanitation should be a daily habit, ingrained in our culture, and this is what we should be teaching our children.”

Commenting on the on-going community clean-up campaign by LAWMA and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, he stated that, “What we are doing right now is sensitisation, and yes, the monthly sanitation exercise is coming back. We are going from community to community, engaging with local stakeholders, and addressing residents’ challenges.”

The LAWMA boss said that the Authority was moving on with the “Adopt a Bin” program, aimed at encouraging households to containerise their waste effectively.

“The new LAWMA smart bins are revolutionising household waste management. We aim for every home to have its own bin, making it easier for residents to properly contain their waste. To make this accessible, we have introduced a 24-month installment plan. What sets these bins apart is their smart technology: “Each bin is equipped with an RFID tag and geolocation capabilities. This allows us to track when bins are empty, ensuring efficient service from our operators,” he stressed

Gbadegesin also highlighted the state government’s collaboration with the private sector to enhance waste disposal facilities, including a memorandum of understanding with Jospong Group to build material recovery facilities and modern landfills in Lagos, adding that LAWMA was also working with local government authorities to establish community recycling centers, to provide residents with dedicated spaces to dispose of recyclables and receive incentives.

On LAWMA Academy, he said, “We are teaching the next generation about the value of recycling and the importance of maintaining a clean environment. Currently, we have an on-going summer school, that will last for a month, and in the next few months, we are going to open a portal for online classes with certification on the LAWMA Academy website.”

He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to improving the welfare of street sweepers, adding that the agency was implementing health insurance and skill development programs for its sweepers.