LAWMA CEO Urges Private Sector to 'Adopt a Street' for Cleaner Lagos

LAWMA CEO Urges Private Sector to 'Adopt a Street' for Cleaner Lagos

......Calls for Increased Corporate Social Responsibility in Community Sanitation

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has issued a call to private organizations and residents across Lagos State to actively participate in the 'Adopt a Street' initiative as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. This initiative aims to enhance environmental cleanliness throughout the state.

During his appearances on Lagos Television's "The Conversation" and Channels TV's "Sunrise," Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized the crucial role of community involvement in maintaining sanitation. He urged businesses and individuals to take a more proactive stance in ensuring the cleanliness of their immediate environments.

"Adopting a street or community provides organizations with a meaningful way to contribute to the city's cleanliness. This goes beyond merely placing bins; it involves taking full responsibility for the upkeep of entire neighborhoods. This initiative not only benefits the environment but also serves as a strong CSR strategy for the organizations involved," Dr. Gbadegesin stated.

He further highlighted the link between poor environmental practices—such as open defecation and illegal waste disposal—and the recent cholera outbreak in the state. Dr. Gbadegesin stressed that these issues could be significantly reduced through sustained community sanitation efforts. "Sanitation should be a daily habit, ingrained in our culture, and this is what we should be teaching our children," he added.

Commenting on the ongoing community clean-up campaign led by LAWMA and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Gbadegesin announced the return of the monthly sanitation exercise. "We are currently engaged in sensitization efforts, moving from community to community, working with local stakeholders, and addressing residents' challenges," he explained.

The LAWMA CEO also spoke about the "Adopt a Bin" program, which encourages households to containerize their waste effectively. He introduced the new LAWMA smart bins, which are equipped with RFID tags and geolocation capabilities. "These bins are revolutionizing household waste management, ensuring efficient service from our operators. To make them accessible, we have introduced a 24-month installment plan," he said.

Additionally, Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted the state's collaboration with the private sector to improve waste disposal facilities. He mentioned a memorandum of understanding with Jospong Group to build material recovery facilities and modern landfills in Lagos. LAWMA is also working with local government authorities to establish community recycling centers, providing residents with dedicated spaces for disposing of recyclables and receiving incentives.

On the educational front, Dr. Gbadegesin discussed LAWMA Academy's role in teaching the next generation about recycling and environmental cleanliness. "We are currently hosting a summer school program, and in the coming months, we will launch online classes with certification through the LAWMA Academy website," he announced.

He concluded by reaffirming LAWMA's commitment to the welfare of street sweepers, revealing that the agency is implementing health insurance and skill development programs for its workers.

Folashade Kadiri (Mrs.)

Director, Public Affairs

13th August, 2024