Lagos new refuse disposal system takes off in 20 councils
A NEW initiative designed by the Lagos State government to rid the state of refuse will be test-run in its 20 councils.
The councils include Lagos Island-East, Lagos Island-West, Mushin, Somolu, Ikeja, Agege, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Ikoyi-Obalende, Surulere, Agboyi-Ketu, among others.
Speaking with journalists at the end of the inspection tour of Agbado-Okeodo council as part of the monthly sanitation exercise, the state Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, disclosed that under the new programme, tenements will bag and keep their refuse in front of their houses while private sector participation (PSP) already engaged by the state government will go round to pick them.
According to him, the operators will pick the refuse 24 hours and at no cost to the people but with the various tenements and corporate organisations paying a stipulated amount monthly for the waste disposal.
He added that in areas where the programme cannot immediately take-off, the state will establish communal depots which will be manned 24 hours a day and will be promptly evacuated to avoid creating undue backlog.
Pedro also declared that the efforts of the state government were already bearing fruits and translating into a cleaner Lagos, adding that the various payments are structured to suit the pockets of each tenement.
While faulting the disruption caused by the federal agencies to the beautification programmes undertaken in conjunction with the private sector, the deputy governor stressed that the administration will remain undeterred by flagrant violation of the state laws.
Speaking on the Kick Against Indiscipline KAI Brigade, Pedro assured that the KAI marshals will be insured and urged the police to protect such personnel since their functions are dictated under an enabling law.
Visiting the Aboru channelisation projects and the council headquarter, Pedro assured that prompt attention will be paid to the project, adding that Governor Bola Tinubu had approved the rehabilitation of the old Ota Road located within the local council.
Responding to reports that August and September will have heavy rainfall, he said though the state had embarked on massive clearing of drainage channels, it must be complemented by people placing emphasis on the environmental cleanliness.
He stated that the state government would continue with its public enlightenment programmes to ensure that the created councils effectively discharge their duties and responsibilities.
Earlier, the council chairman, Jimoh Olawale-Cole, appealed to the state government to assist the council by completing the various road projects such as Ekoro, Akinola Ifesowapo/Aboru link road, Ipaja-Aboru dredging, Meiran Road, old Ota Road, among others.
