Lagos to improve waste collection and management and sign MOU with Jospong Group to upgrade landfills

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the current administration has intensified activities for improved and timely waste clearance efforts across the state.

Wahab spoke on Friday about the ministry’s activities in the past twelve months during the annual ministerial press conference for Y2024 at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center Alausa, commemorating the first year and second term in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. that the two main landfills in Olusosun and Soulous have also undergone rehabilitation leading to increased capacity.

He added that the state government has signed an MOU with the Jospong Group of Ghana to ensure that existing landfills/transfer loading stations are identified as potential candidates for conversion/upgrade to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and composting facilities.

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

He said that during the period under review, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) identified 103 illegal black spots in the metropolis and ensured their eviction.

The commissioner added that a total of 1,081 environmental offenders were arrested for various environmental crimes, with 1,016 individuals prosecuted in the Mobile Magistrate’s Court and sentenced to community service at various locations in the state.

Wahab announced that based on the information about the serious health problems and the dangers of using Styrofoam for the ecosystem and drains, the Ministry has banned the use, sale and distribution of Styrofoam food containers in the stands.

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

He stated that more efforts are being made to increase public awareness and sensitization of residents on the dangers inherent in the continued use of the Styrofoam food containers.

While outlining the performance of the State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Commissioner said the agency undertook 367 enforcement activities in households, markets, hotels, warehouses, service centers, eateries, shops, churches, mosques and 140 hospitality facilities including supermarkets, nightclubs and Bake houses to ensure compliance with state environmental laws.

He said 76 abatement orders have been issued to individuals and organizations found violating laws regarding 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 further step to ensure the safety of lives and properties of residents, the Commissioner said officers of KAI/LAGESC have strengthened the use of pedestrian bridges, arresting 1,032 persons for crossing the highway and not using pedestrian bridges, and added that 165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges were evicted by the state and the bridges cleaned.

He said that the KAI employee recently unearthed an illegal residential settlement built under the Dolphin Bridge, where 80 rooms of miscreants were dismantled.

The Commissioner stated that the government is committed to removing everything under bridges in the state and converting them to proper public use.

He stressed that the ban on street traders in the island will also spread to other local government areas in the state as it will be an ongoing exercise.

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

He assured residents that most of the mini waterworks in the state will be regenerated, stressing that residents must desist from vandalizing water pipes and other government properties.

“I would like to call on residents to always take ownership of their environment, if you notice something, please speak out kindly. So that the environment can be habitable for everyone,” the commissioner said.