The Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, has said that the high cost of diesel, currently being experienced across the country, is hampering the waste evacuation operations of the agency.
He stated this on Tuesday, adding that practical steps were being taken to address the issue, as the agency is working on tackling present environmental challenges being faced in the state.
Odumboni said: “We have redoubled our efforts, working round the clock to ensure that we evacuate all waste anywhere around the city. The scarcity and high cost of diesel have been a major challenge, as all service providers’ trucks run on diesel. Nonetheless, we are doing the needful, to maintain a clean environment and prevent health hazards to the people”.
According to him, “The resurgence of waste observed in some areas of the metropolis is borne out of the unforeseen diesel challenges the service providers are experiencing, which is affecting operations and the Authority is looking into helping them resolve it. Tenements who do not have waste containers in their houses, have resorted to bringing it to the highways.”
“While we strongly reiterate the importance of waste containers in the homes, we passionately appeal and canvass for public cooperation, to combat a resurgence of waste on road medians, canals and other illegal spots.”
“We are assuring Lagosians of our total commitment to rid the environment of dirt. As we work day and night to make this happen, we urge you to support our efforts, as cleanliness of the state is a collective responsibility”, he stressed.