CITIZENS COMPASS–The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has embarked on a motorised advocacy campaign, to key areas of Eti-Osa Local Government, to sensitise residents on sustainable environment, as part of activities marking the Authority’s observance of World Cleanup Day.
Adopting the theme, “Make Room for Life”, the roadshow kicked off at Lekki Toll Gate, covering Ilasan, Jakande Bus-stop, Maiyegun Beach Road, Eleganza Bus-stop, Ajah, to Abraham Adesanya, to raise awareness about environmental cleanliness and resource management of waste in Lagos State.
Speaking on the significance of the campaign, LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, stated that the campaign was part of the agency’s larger effort to mobilise individuals, communities, and organisations to take immediate action towards a cleaner environment.
He said, “Our goal is to drive a change in behavior and attitudes towards proper waste management in Lagos. Through this motorised advocacy, we aim to engage residents of Eti-Osa and beyond, encouraging them to adopt better waste disposal habits and embrace programs such as our Adopt-a-Bin initiative and Recycling efforts.”
Gbadegesin said the campaign was also aimed at addressing pressing waste management issues in the area, especially illegal waste dumping and cart pushing, which had posed a significant environmental challenge.
The LAWMA boss noted that the occasion of World Cleanup Day served as a reminder of the need for Lagosians to adopt sustainable waste practice, like waste sorting, recycling, and the use of designated bins, adding that the practices were key to reducing the amount of waste on the streets and landfills.
The roadshow, which involved the usage of English and the three major Nigerian languages: Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, focused on encouraging residents to adopt responsible waste disposal practices and featured advocacy on the importance of sorting, bagging, and containerising waste.
A significant part of the campaign was on LAWMA’s “Adopt-a-Bin” initiative, which highlighted the introduction of new geo-located smart bins, equipped with RFID panels, designed to prevent theft and enhance waste management efficiency for residents, aligning with Lagos State’s vision of becoming a smart city.
Head of LAWMA’s Advocacy Unit, Mr. Adewunmi Adetona, who addressed residents and business owners, at the event, advocated for the use of smart bins, to achieve the state’s goal of a clean and sustainable environment, adding that cleanliness in the city was essential for fostering economic growth and investment opportunities.
LAWMA’s Ambassador, Alhaji Sikiru Ademola Junaid, popularly known as Lemon, played a key role, engaging and educating the community through music, rendering the “Keep Lagos clean and recycle waste” song, to drive home the importance of waste separation.
On the campaign train were heads of LAWMA’s various departments and units, including street sanitation sweepers, medical staff, neighbourhood watch, enforcement personnel, as well as officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), demonstrating a collective commitment to achieving a cleaner and smarter Lagos State.
