The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced a three-day training for some staff members of Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), on professional approach to waste management.

The EKSWAMA team, led by its Director-General, Mr Olasunkanmi Onipede, was received by the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin and his management team.

Welcoming them at LAWMA headquarters, Ijora Olopa, Gbadegesin expressed his delight, stressing that the Authority was always open to resource sharing, just as it had done with other states and some West African countries, on modern waste management techniques.

His words, “ LAWMA, was initially established in 1977 as a refuse collection board but the current structure of the authority came about in 1999. The incumbent president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was the Governor of Lagos State then restructured LAWMA to a scientific and professional waste management authority.

Since then, LAWMA keeps coming up with new innovations. Managing the waste of 23 million people who generate 13 tonnes of waste daily is not a child’s play, we continue to learn, unlearn and relearn in the process of waste management”
“Today, we have incorporated over 400 PSPs, who have at least two compactors each to evacuate household waste across the state. Currently, LAWMA is working round the clock and transiting from a linear into a circular economy system, embracing the reduce, reuse and recycle model. This is the best place you can come to learn, as we have the best hands who will share both theoretical and practical insights about waste management with you. I assure you that at the end of the three days training, you will still have to come back for more.’’ he noted.

Responding, the Director-General of EKSWAMA, Mr. Olasunkanmi Onipede, noted that the purpose of the training was to understudy LAWMA’s waste management operation, which according to him, was worth emulating, in order to be replicated in Ekiti State.

He said: “Coming from a state where we manage the waste of nearly 3.5 million people to Lagos State where over 23 million residents’ waste is managed, means that we are in the right place to learn from. What we are concerned about, is how we can replicate Lagos Waste Management system in Ekiti State. From all we have seen, we are optimistic that this training is just a step to more partnerships with LAWMA. We are ready to drink from your wealth of knowledge and get EKSWAMA’s regulations right. We are glad to be here and thank you for having us’’, Onipede said.

Also speaking, LAWMA’s Head of PSP Domestic Services, Dr. Tunde Suleiman, who took the team through the first lecture on general overview of solid waste management principles and practices, highlighted the processes involved in waste management from the collection to the disposal.

He said: “The waste management sector keeps evolving and that is why in LAWMA, we emphasise environmental best practices in the industry. A lot of processes are involved, from the collection of waste to the treatment, transportation and disposal stages, as the Authority manages different types of waste ranging from hazardous, commercial, recyclable, organic, healthcare, as well as domestic waste.”

Sulaiman however, noted that the Authority had adopted advocacy and sensitisation as essential tools in managing waste in a megacity like Lagos, adding that sensitising the people complemented LAWMA’s operational efforts.

”If we have to roll out all the compactors we have to evacuate waste in public spaces, we will still be in need of more and that is too expensive to fund. Therefore, we adopted continuous advocacy and sensitisation, in order to work on the mindset of people, our focus is attitudinal change. If residents embrace a positive change towards the environment, we won’t have to be clearing the roads every day. So, the challenge we have is residents’ poor attitude to the environment. Enforcement on the other hand is always a last result’’. he stressed

The director of Medical Health and Safety Services, Dr. Mrs. Modupe Okoh, gave the general safety talk, while the director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, took the team through the schedule of activities of the three-day training. The team were also shown short documentaries of LAWMA’s activities.

The Three days training, would cover all the core areas of the Authority’s waste management system; ranging from operations, landfill management, advocacy, Admin and Human resource, Circular Economy, waste management finance, environmental health, legal services, monitoring and compliance among others. Field trips will be undertaken to Olusosun landfill, waste to energy plant at IKosi-Ketu and LAWMA Mushin operational district.

… says no hiding place for cart pushers

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has intensified enforcement activities around the state, leading to the sealing of Ile Iyan, a business outfit on Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba, for violating waste disposal regulations; and a major clamp-down on cart pushers. Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, noted that the business facility was closed for reckless disposal of waste. He said, “Our operatives discovered evidence of Ile Iyan’s waste disposal at an illegal dumpsite near Aje Comprehensive High School’s fence in Sabo, Yaba. Although the facility claimed to have enlisted with LAWMA, they were unable to provide any proof of registration or documentation. This left us with no choice than to seal off their premises to compel compliance.” Gbadegesin emphasised the Authority’s firm stance on enforcement, reiterating that compliance with waste management regulations was non-negotiable for all businesses operating in Lagos, to maintain a clean and healthy environment for residents.“Every business operating in Lagos must be registered with LAWMA and comply with approved waste management guidelines. Defaulters will face strict penalties, including the sealing of their premises. This will help us safeguard our environment, making it livable for all residents”, he stated. LAWMA’s enforcement efforts extended beyond businesses to target illegal cart pushers operating in various areas, including Ejigbo, Isolo, and Somolu, causing serious harm to the environment and public health. He said: “These illegal cart pushers are a major problem. They undermine our efforts at creating a cleaner Lagos by dumping waste indiscriminately. Their actions degrade the environment and expose residents to serious health risks. We urge Lagosians to stop patronising the outlawed cart pushers, because those who do, risk arrest and prosecution. The right thing to do is to engage with assigned PSP operators, for proper waste disposal.” Highlighting the legal framework supporting these actions, the LAWMA boss referred to the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, which prohibits improper waste disposal. “Section 82(1) of the law clearly states that dumping waste in unauthorised locations, such as road medians, is illegal. Offenders risk fines of not less than ₦25,000 and potential jail term under Section 109. These regulations exist to protect our environment and the health of Lagosians.” He said further that LAWMA was working in collaboration with other sister agencies, such as the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), to prosecute violators and maintain environmental standards across the metropolis. “There is no hiding place for defaulters. With the support of sister agencies, we will continue to arrest and prosecute those who flout waste management laws. Our goal is to make Lagos cleaner, safer, and more sustainable for everyone”, Gbadegesin said. He called on all residents to join the fight against improper waste management, stressing that a sustainable environment depended on collective responsibility, adding that irresponsible waste disposal was one of the major causes of flooding, and spread of diseases like cholera, all of which were preventable, if everyone adhered to waste management regulations. For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.

In continuation of its state-wide campaign for environmental cleanliness, the Lagos Waste Management Authority , LAWMA, has taken its motorized advocacy campaign, tagged “ War on Waste” to Dopemu-Iyana Ipaja axis, primarily to inspire attitude change among the residents.It comes on the heels of a similar road show, held along Lekki Toll Gate, Jakande and Ajah area of Eti-Osa Local Government of the state.Speaking at Dopemu Roundabout by Santos Estate, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, the Managing Director/ CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, represented by the director of advocacy unit, Mr. Adewumi Adetona, noted that the campaign theme, “War on Waste”, was a determined move to tackle the menace of indiscriminate dumping, non-patronage of PSP operators and improper waste containerization prevalent in the state.He said: “With over 20 million residents, Lagos generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste on a daily basis.

The Authority bears the brunt of evacuating much of the waste on road median, streets,canals and drainage channels everyday. However, it is not sustainable for us as an agency, to continue with the same task without sensitizing you on your role in the waste management chain. That is why we have come up with this intervention. Our Advocacy Unit has always been on the move to enlighten residents, traders and communities. This is the second public roadshow we are having and the goal is to ensure the message of sustainable waste management practices gets to everyone.“I want to implore you to relay the message to others and spread the gospel of a positive environmental consciousness to everyone around you. Let’s start from our homes by purchasing a waste bin for proper containerization of the waste we generate; separate organic waste from recyclables, patronize assigned PSP operators and pay for waste services promptly. Embrace the opportunities in recycling and start earning an income from your waste. Should you have any complaints about PSP services, call the Authority’s toll free lines and you will be attended to. Together, we can achieve a cleaner and safer Lagos,’’ he noted.Also speaking, the head of marketing and sales, Adopt-a-bin, Mrs Adedoyin Oyefusi , noted that the new smart bins, which could be acquired through installment payments, was carefully designed to prevent theft and enhance waste management efficiency for residents.She said” We are committed to promoting sustainable waste management practices that will enhance a healthy living. To achieve this, LAWMA decided to introduce smart bins to help us achieve our goal of a cleaner Lagos. This campaign is tagged “war on waste” because we do not want to see any waste dumped recklessly. Therefore, we implore you to procure the waste bins and dispose of your waste properly into the bins,’’ she stressed.The campaign train sensitized people in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and pidgin languages on the essence of proper waste management, singing and dancing while also engaging traders and commuters on all inclusive and participatory sensitization.The roadshow which terminated at Iyana Ipaja Round About, had in attendance, the Authority’s management staff, staff members of departments and units, street sweepers, medical staff, neighbourhood watch, enforcement personnel, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and LAWMA ambassador, Alhaji Sikiru Ademola Junaid, popularly known as Lemon.For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.