Lagos Set To Improve Waste Collection, Management, Signs MOU With Jospong Group To Upgrade Dumpsites

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said the present administration has ramped up its activities for improved and timely waste-clearing efforts all over the state.

Speaking Friday on activities of the Ministry in the past 12 Months at the Y2024 Annual Ministerial Press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre Alausa, to commemorate the First Year, Second Term in the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, Wahab also disclosed that the two main dumpsites at Olusosun and Soulous have also experienced rehabilitation leading to increased capacity.

He added that the State Government has signed an MOU with Jospong Group from Ghana to ensure the identification of existing Dumpsites/Transfer Loading Station as potential candidates for conversion/upgrading to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and Compost Facilities.

The Commissioner maintained that the collaboration between LASG and JOSPONG technical teams will re-engineer the solid waste management system in Lagos State and ensure the creation of job opportunities in the Waste to Wealth value chain.

He said the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), during the period under review, identified 103 illegal blackspots across the metropolis and ensured that they were dislodged.

The Commissioner added that a total of 1,081 environmental offenders were arrested for various environmental offences with 1016 persons prosecuted by the Mobile Magistrate’s court and sentenced to community service at various locations in the state.

Wahab disclosed that based on the information of the grave health concerns and the dangers of the use of styrofoam to the ecosystem and drainage channels, the Ministry pronounced a ban on the use, sale and distribution of Styrofoam food containers in the state.

He noted that over 322.5 kg of Styrofoam food containers have so far been confiscated and deposited at the TLS Marini in Oshodi for destruction.

He stated that more efforts are being intensified on public awareness and sensitisation of residents on the dangers inherent in the continued usage of the Styrofoam food containers.

While outlining the achievement of the State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) the Commissioner said the Agency undertook 367 enforcement activities in households, markets, hotels, warehouses, service centres, eateries, stores, churches, mosques and 140 hospitality facilities including Supermarket, Nightclubs and Bake houses to ensure compliance with the state environmental laws.

He said 76 abatement notices were served to individuals and organisations violating laws on the indiscriminate discharge of raw sewage into the lagoon or other forms of water and land pollution.

“A 25% compliance rate with environmental laws was recorded compared to the previous year,” Wahab said.

In a renewed step to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents, the Commissioner said operatives of KAI/LAGESC re-enforced the use of pedestrian bridges with 1,032 persons arrested for crossing the highway and failure to use pedestrian bridges, adding that 165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges across the state were dislodged and the bridges cleaned up.

He said the operative of KAI recently unearthed an illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge where 80 rooms housing miscreants were dismantled.

The Commissioner stated that the government is determined to dislodge all under bridges across the state and convert them into proper public use.

He stressed that the banning of street traders on the Island will also spread to other Local Government Areas in the state as it will be a continuous exercise.

On the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), Wahab said the agency has continued to create beautiful and serene spaces for sports relaxation and leisure all around the Lagos metropolis and remarkably increased the greenery with a total of 2,910 trees planted on the annual Tree Planting Day and other ceremonial days.

He assured residents that most mini waterworks across the state will be regenerated, stressing that residents should desist from vandalising waterworks pipes and other government properties.

“I would like to appeal to the residents to always take ownership of their environment, if you notice something kindly speak out. So that the environment can be habitable for all”, the Commissioner said.