The Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has reiterated the agency’s commitment to improving the waste management services rendered by private sector participants (PSP) through robust government assistance to sustain their businesses.
As a sign-post of greater things to come the way of these entrepreneurs, Dr. Gbadegesin presented consolatory cheques to three PSP operators whose compactors got burnt on active duty.
Gbadegesin made the presentation during an interactive session with PSP operators at LAWMA Ogudu Zonal facility, noting that the authority would not relent in its efforts towards providing a business-friendly environment for the waste collectors, as well as a climate of partnership and collaboration.
Speaking further, the LAWMA MD hinted that the authority would, early next year, take delivery of new compactors being procured by the present administration in a determined effort to tackle the challenge of waste management in the State.
Waxing philosophical, he reflected that no one could accurately predict future occurrences in business, hence the need for the operators to get insurance cover for their operational vehicles to mitigate unpleasant, unforeseen occurrences.
He said 2019 had been an eventful year for waste management in the State, maintaining that the end of the year interactive session became necessary to dialogue over subsisting challenges hampering PSP operations and work towards proffering appropriate solutions.
The LAWMA boss was emphatic that this administration would stop at nothing to support the waste collectors in the execution of their statutory duties, promising that the in-coming year would witness drastic improvements in waste management services across the metropolis.
Responding, the president of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr. David Oriyomi, applauded the gesture of the government describing the cheque presentation as humanitarian and promising renewed enthusiasm of PSP operators to work tirelessly towards making Lagos cleaner and serene for residents.
He commended the State government for improving the condition of landfill sites in the metropolis to pave way for an efficient turn-around time of waste evacuation trucks, urging the government to do more to boost welfare of the PSP workforce.
The interactive session was attended by various environmental stakeholders in the State including the Chairman, House Committee on The Environment, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Desmond Elliot.
