The Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, has again stressed the need for waste sorting by residents, hinting that with effect from April, those who comply would get a reduction in waste bills while those who don't will get an increase.
Speaking with journalists on the new policy in his office at Ijora-Olopa, Lagos, Odumboni explained that LAWMA is engaged in recycling as a veritable tool to tackle the challenge of plastic pollution, as the State generated about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily with plastic materials constituting 17 per cent.
Odumboni said: "From April, you will get a reduction in your waste bill if you sort your waste at source and vice versa if you don’t. I am appealing to estates, companies and all residents to comply. What we face in Lagos is challenging. In fact, Lagos is the 5th largest economy in Africa and population-wise, we have over 25 million people living in the city. Scientifically, we’ve estimated that each individual generates about 0.69 kg daily. We are dealing with over 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, 17 per cent of which are plastic related wastes".
The Managing Director stated further that the recycling initiative for waste management had gained traction since the inception of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration, stressing that the number of recycling companies operating in the State has grown from only three to 78.
His words: “Since the launch of the recycling initiative by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we’ve grown from three recycling companies to 78 recycling companies and still counting. We currently have more than 600 aggregators, and over 6000 jobs created in the sector so far. So you can see that we’ve started a movement and a growth. It is over two years now and the progress that is being made is enormous”.
The LAWMA boss reiterated the massive impact of recycling on the lives of many citizens with the creation of jobs to alleviate unemployment challenges and the positive impact on environmental sustainability, adding that more opportunities would still be created.
Odumboni also revealed that the Agency would partner with the BASF Group on a project to convert waste to chemicals as part of efforts to expand the recycling initiative for reducing the environmental impact caused by plastic waste in the State.
Appealing to all Corporate Organisations in Lagos to join forces with the Authority to create awareness among residents on the need for active involvement in recycling for personal and environmental benefits, the CEO urged residents to call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617 (for GLO users) for inquiries on recycling and waste management related issues.
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