LAWMA ACADEMY CONCLUDES 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL

 By Ayodele Ifasakin 

… As Program Empowers Young Eco-Warriors in Lagos

The LAWMA Academy has concluded its 2024 summer school program, a comprehensive initiative designed to educate pupils on effective waste management and recycling practices.

The four-week intensive course, which was held at LAWMA's headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, saw participation of pupils across various schools in Lagos State.

LAWMA ACADEMY CONCLUDES 2024 SUMMER SCHOOL

In his address at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, represented by Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, Executive Director of Finance, expressed satisfaction with the performance of kids who participated in the program, while encouraging them to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their daily lives.

He said, "I am thrilled with your performance during this training. I urge you to go out there and share what you have learned with others. You must put these lessons into practice by properly sorting your waste and utilising recycling materials to create useful items."

He emphasised the importance of the pupils becoming ambassadors for waste management, adding "Wherever you find yourselves, remember that you now carry the responsibility of promoting good waste management practices”.

Head of LAWMA Academy, Mrs. Bola Adewumi, urged the participants to make good use of their new knowledge to promote sustainable living in their communities.

Highlights of the event included awards for outstanding students from the primary and secondary categories.

The pupils, as well as the August LAWMA Academy interns, named team SSS (Sustainable Solution Squad), showcased projects and innovations developed during the program, demonstrating their grasp of waste management concepts and their potential to drive positive change in their various communities.

The summer school curriculum covered topics such as waste segregation, recycling techniques, and the environmental impact of proper waste management. Participants also engaged in hands-on activities and practical sessions, leaving them with a sound knowledge of sustainable waste practices.

LASG EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SANITATION PRACTICES

 By Yomi Durojaye 

........As the weekly sanitation Advocacy  Campaign train moves to Bariga LCDA.

The Lagos State Government on Sunday emphasized the importance of good sanitation practices amongst all residents in order to ensure a clean, flood free, safe  and sustainable environment across the state.

LASG EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SANITATION PRACTICES

The emphasis was made  by the  Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab during the Weekly Community Based Environmental Sanitation Advocacy campaign held at Omobokun Street, Ekimogun Underbridge Iyana Oworo, Bariga Local Council Development Area adding that all residents must make good sanitation practices a daily affair.

He said the Weekly Community Based Environmental Sanitation Advocacy campaign was introduced to promote good sanitation practices amongst residents before the formal commencement of the monthly Sanitation Exercise.

"What we are trying to do is to ramp up sensitization and advocacy before the formal commencement of the monthly environmental Sanitation which will soon be announced by the Governor," he said.

He mentioned that some houses in the area have been investigated and  were found to  have channelled their septic tanks into the drainages  and some have built their fences on the drainage channels adding that these houses will soon be sealed by the appropriate Agency.

He implored residents to support Government effort through regular cleaning of the drainages in front of their houses and desist from the unwholesome act of illegal waste disposal saying it is expedient for everyone to take ownership of all infrastructure provided by the government.

On the issue of flooding experienced in the area, Wahab said government will reassess the claims by the community members that  the sandfilling carried out at Oworo end is responsible for the flooding incidents encountered in the Ekimogun area, adding that  government  is determined to proffer a lasting solution to flooding in the area.

He maintained that the environmental advocacy campaign has been effective as the communities earlier visited at the commencement of
the advocacy programme  have been revisited and these communities have sustained the clean up and the communities are cleaner and healthier.

Wahab encouraged residents to embrace Good Environmental Habits  stressing that this would reduce the burden on the health sector and ensure the effects are positive  on the infrastructure provided by government.

The Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, Honourable Kolade Alabi while speaking, said that Governor Sanwo-Olu commissioned the Ekimogun Road but it was disheartening that the road is in a sorry state because of the unsanitary attitude of residents.

"We the residents of Bariga must therefore stop littering our roads and canals with wastes, we must bag our wastes in our respective homes and always patronise the PSP" he said.

He said the government is determined to ensure the Environment is always Clean and as such every house in Bariga must own a bin which would be made available by the government at a reasonable amount.

The Managing Director Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) informed that  Bariga Local Government has been identified as one of the Local Council Development Areas that will accommodate a recycling facility adding that the Waste to Wealth  facility will reduce illegal waste disposal in the area.

He enjoined all residents to collaborate with the government to ensure that Lagos is free of garbage saying that waste bins will soon be made available to tenements in Bariga.

In her response, the Senior Special Assistant on Environmental Health, Bariga Local Government, Hon. Suliat Oguns pledged the support of people of the Bariga Community saying the community residents would ensure that waste is properly disposed and infrastructure provided by the State Government will be effectively utilised.

Children's Day: LAWMA Boss Tasks Parents on Recycling Education for Kids

 AgegePulse Magazine

Children's Day: LAWMA Boss Tasks Parents on Recycling Education for Kids

As the world commemorates Children’s Day, Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has tasked parents on early teaching of waste sorting and recycling to their children and wards, to build a sustainable environment for the future.

He said this at the agency’s headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, as LAWMA celebrated with children, featuring a series of educational activities and games designed to engage children and raise awareness on environmental sustainability.

Gbadegesin highlighted the significance of instilling proper waste management habits in the younger generation, stressing that parents had an important role to play in educating their children about recycling and waste sorting, noting that early education on these topics was essential for fostering environmentally responsible citizens.

He said, "Teaching our children about recycling and proper waste management is required for the future of our environment. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that they understand the impact of their actions on the planet. By incorporating these lessons into their daily lives, we can nurture a generation that is conscious of their environmental footprint and committed to sustainable practices."

The LAWMA boss stated that the Authority’s commitment to environmental education extended beyond Children's Day, as the agency had been actively involved in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting waste management education in schools and communities across Lagos State, which included school outreach programs and community clean-up campaigns.

"As an organisation, LAWMA is dedicated to creating a cleaner and healthier Lagos. Our efforts in promoting waste management education are part of our broader mission to foster a culture of environmental responsibility. We believe that by educating our children, we are laying the foundation for a greener future", he noted.

In her goodwill message, Director of Environmental Education Unit, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Monsurat Banire, represented by Mrs Olufunke Olaleye, commended the Authority for investing in children, noting that children were the greatest investment.

She said: "When we involve children in anything we do, we are assured of a better and sustainable future.  The Ministry of Environment knows the value of environmental education and that is why we have the unit to raise you all as environmental ambassadors, who will preserve our planet. I celebrate you all and I wish you a wonderful celebration ".

Also speaking, the head of LAWMA Academy Training and Development, Mrs. Bola Adewumi, noted that the Authority was committed to raising children to become ambassadors of sustainable environmental practices, urging the children to maintain a positive attitude to the environment, to make it people-friendly.

Other LAWMA Management staff who gave their good will messages were: Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Kadiri Folashade;  Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mr. Oluwakemi Sulaimon; Director of Admin and HR, Ms. Ranti Dosunmu; Deputy Director, Commercial Services, Mrs. Abimbola Opayemi; Deputy Director Medical Services, Health and Safety, Dr. Modupe Okoh; Deputy Director , Waste Management Research, Policy and Development, Dr. Essien Nsuabia; Deputy Director, Circular Economy, Mrs. Jirinsola Okubanjo; Head Customer Care and Corporate Engagement Unit, Mrs. Aramide Olaniyan, among others

For more information about LAWMA's initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.

LAWMA Launches “Know Your PSP” Campaign for Effective Service Delivery

 AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has launched "Know Your PSP" campaign, an initiative aimed at improving communication and cooperation between residents and Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, responsible for waste collection.

Commenting on the initiative, managing director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the campaign was aimed at improving waste management practices throughout the state, adding that the initiative would provide residents with detailed information about the specific PSP operators assigned to their areas, for contact and for reporting issues or requesting additional services.

He said, "The 'Know Your PSP' campaign is a crucial step in our on-going effort at improving waste management in Lagos State. By equipping residents with the knowledge of who their PSP operators are and how to reach them, we are fostering a collaborative effort for a cleaner city. This initiative will not only enhance service delivery but also promote accountability and responsiveness among PSP operators."

Gbadegesin said LAWMA had established dedicated helplines and online platforms, where residents could easily access information about their designated PSP operators, report issues, and provide feedbacks, adding that this would make it easier for residents to communicate with their waste services providers, so that challenges were promptly addressed and services consistently delivered.

He noted further, that investigation showed that some residents did not even know their PSP operators nor their contacts, making it impossible to interface with them, on any area of service provision.

"By providing residents with easy access to information and a direct line of communication with their PSP operators, we are making it easier for them to report issues and request services. This streamlined approach will help us address concerns more efficiently and ensure that waste collection services meet the needs of all residents", he said.

The LAWMA boss appealed to the populace to desist from acts of indiscriminate waste dumping and patronage of the outlawed cart pushers, capable of worsening environmental challenges in the metropolis, especially flooding, as the rains set in.

For more information about LAWMA's initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.

Govt Reopens Ladipo, Oyingbo, Other Markets

 AgegePulse Magazine

Govt Reopens Ladipo, Oyingbo, Other Markets

    

... Warns that future violation will attract stiffer penalties

The Lagos Waste  Management Authority, (LAWMA) has announced the reopening of Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede and Ile-Epo markets, recently sealed for filth and gross environmental abuse.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who made this known, emphasised the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.

The reopening followed full compliance with requisite conditions. He said, "Following extensive renovations and compliance measures including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions."

Dr. Gbadegesin stated that the reopened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations. These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment and enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited psp operators for timely evacuation; prompt payment of waste bills, as well as, dislodging Street traders from road medians and setbacks, preventing unauthorised vending. 

"A filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others. We cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things", he stressed.

Speaking further, he said, "We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market".

Gbadegesin implored the executive members of markets in the state, to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them, their customers and added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations' adherence to set conditions, urging members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.

He reminded markets around the state that LAWMA's zero tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked a closure and hefty fine.

For waste management related issues in your area, call LAWMA toll-free number: 07080601020 and 617

LAWMA to ban single use plastic | AgegePulse Magazine

By Ayodele Ifasakin

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is set to ban single use plastic materials across its formations, as part of its efforts to curtail the environmental menace posed by the item.

AgegePulse learnt that,  this was made known by the Authority, in a press release on Monday, noting  that the agency was taking the step, as a key implementer of the Lagos State Plastic Policy, geared towards making the environment livable and free from plastic pollution.

“LAWMA, as an environment-friendly organisation, is totally committed to promoting the ban of single use plastic, across our work formations in the state. We are glad to lead by example, looking forward to other corporate bodies doing same, to make the environment cleaner and safe from plastic pollution”, the statement read.

The Authority called on residents to shun the act of indiscriminate dumping of waste at unauthorised locations, such as canals, gutters, road medians and uncompleted buildings, pointing out that such abhorrent practice worsened the challenge of flooding in the state, as the rainy season resumed.

It urged residents to call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617 (for GLO users), to report environmental infractions and make inquiries on waste management related issues in their area.

Sort your waste for recycling – LAWMA MD

AgegePulse Magazine

The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has again urged residents to imbibe the culture of waste sorting at source by dropping all recyclable items in one bag and other waste items in another. This comes on the heels of the recently launched Blue Box Program of the state government.

He spoke at Orile bus stop during a road show organized by LAWMA along Lagos Badagry Expressway, to create awareness among residents and to distribute waste bags to them.

According to him, the Authority embarked on the massive sensitization program, to draw the attention of residents in the area to the need for proper sanitation and cleaner surroundings.  

“Today we’ve come to sensitize the community on how to maintain a clean environment because a clean environment is the beginning of good health for all Lagosians. If you don’t have a clean environment, you cannot enjoy good health”, Dr. Gbadegesin said.

Speaking further he said, “You were keeping one waste bag before, but now you will be keeping two bags; one bag for your recyclable materials like plastic bottles, cans and water sachets while the other bag is for general waste. That is why we are distributing the bags to you, for the “Blue Box” program which the governor launched last week.”

“I also want you to stop the idea of using refuse to reclaim land. This is an unwholesome practice that is harmful to the environment and must be discontinued”, he stressed.

The LAWMA boss also stated that the agency, as a follow-up to the recent executive order on sanitation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had commenced massive clean-up exercises along Orile – Lagos Badagry Expressway, to ensure that the stretch was rid of black spots and all forms of environmental nuisance.

He urged residents in the area to support government’s efforts by embracing right environmental practices, to protect them from dangers of environmental pollution, adding that the Authority had commenced distribution of trash bags, in line with the blue box program, to enable residents sort their wastes properly for recycling.

Mr. Funsho Adeolu, a renowned Nigerian actor and LAWMA ambassador, said he joined the campaign to promote environmental sustainability in the state, urging Lagosians to support LAWMA’s efforts at restoring the environment through proper waste management practices like waste sorting for recycling.

Also at the sensitization exercise was Ohekwuru Tony, a child environmental advocate with Children for Cleaner Lagos, who educated residents on how to dispose of their wastes properly, as well as the importance of waste segregation for recycling

LAWMA TASKS LAGOSIANS ON PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL AT EID-EL-KABIR

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has called on residents to properly dispose of their domestic wastes during and after the forth-coming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The Assistant Director, Public Affairs of LAWMA, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, in a statement, disclosed that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure that the celebration was observed in a filth-free environment, as waste evacuators have been mandated to work round the clock to clean up the city.

The statement noted LAWMA’s resolve to stamp out all forms of improper waste disposal in the metropolis, which has resulted in environmental degradation, calling on residents to patronize only their assigned PSP operators.

According to Mrs. Kadiri,toll-free lines had been made available to the public, for swift response to complaints, as well as back-up operations in areas witnessing service gaps.

While speaking on its plan for effective and improved services within its three (3) districts, during the festive period, she said LAWMA would be distributing free trash bags to residents for easy storage of extra waste that would be generated during the period.

Accordingly, the LAWMA spokesperson advised residents to desist from dumping waste indiscriminately on road medians and verges, but to patronize accredited PSP operators in their areas.

She also assured that extra trucks had been deployed to ensure adequate back-up for the PSP operators, urging residents to call the Authority’s toll free lines 07080601020 or 617, to request for prompt attention.

While wishing residents happy celebrations, she appealed to Lagosians to shun acts capable of negatively impactingon the environment, stressing that the task of achieving the desired cleaner and healthier environment was a collective responsibility.