No room for open defecation, improper waste disposal in Lagos, stakeholders warn

…Urges markets to provide refuse collection points

By Bose Adelaja 

CITIZENS COMPASS—The Lagos State Government on Thursday, frowned at sanitation infractions and sounded a note of warning to anyone found indulging in open defecation and improper waste disposal across the State.

The Government said penalties await defaulters,, as well as any of its officers caught abating this.

This was the outcome of the Lagos East Senatorial District Stakeholders and Engagement Meeting which was held at the Bolade -Oshodi Headquarters of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).

The Meeting urged members of the public to desist from converting parks, kerbs, laybys, and other public spaces to refuse dumps.

Among the Stakeholders were market men and women, community development associations, public servants, and transporters.

Speaking, LAGESC Corp Marshall, Major Olatunbosun Olaniyi Cole (Rtd), highlighted the threats posed by open defecation and improper waste disposal such as outbreaks of diseases and environmental pollution calling on stakeholders to imbibe the culture of good hygiene practices.

He mentioned some of the state government’s efforts in stepping up the fight against open defecation among which is providing sanitation facilities in terms of constructing additional public conveniences at some designated areas.

According to him, “Open defecation is a menace to our society, and we must work together to eradicate it. Let me remind you that the recent cholera outbreak in our state underscores the urgency of addressing this challenge,” he said.

On maintenance of the facilities, he stated that the state government has employed some people for 24-hour monitoring.

This he said was in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

“The facilities will be sited in various locations where open defecation is prevalent.

He said, “The Government is building new toilet facilities as against open defecation. Like the one in Berger, we have collaboration with the Police to enforce the law while the Ministry has employed some people who will monitor the facilities 24 hours.”

Responding to some of the questions raised at the Meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, urged market men and women across the state to provide smart waste bins in the markets and pay up for the services of Private Sector Partnership (PSP) to enable its operators to dispose of the refuse as at when due.

Represented by Mrs. Ilori Temitope, the Deputy Director of the Ministry, he lauded the efforts of LAGESC in keeping the State clean. “We appreciate some officers who put in their best to ensure the job is done. We all know that the KAI of today is different from the previous one and the recent good development we notice in Lagos, is because some officers have dedicated their time and skill to ensure this and we must play our roles by observing the environmental laws of the State.

“There is no law in Lagos that encourages indiscriminate dumping of refuse, therefore, market leaders should provide refuse collection points across various markets as this is one of the reasons for the recent closure of some markets by the State government.

“Market leaders should guide against unauthorised trading so that refuse does not find its way into the drainages and other unauthorised places.”

Mr Kemi Sulaiman, Director, Special Duties, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), who represented the Managing Director of the Agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Agency has deployed environmental desk officers across the local governments in the State to monitor environmental activities and get feedback from residents to aid the Agency in its monthly assessment.

He urged Lagosians to desist from flouting environmental rules adding, “This is an interactive session for an exchange of ideas so that we can keep ourselves abreast of our services. I would like to inform you that LAWMA has environmental desk officers in all the local governments and we encourage them to facilitate meetings of all the PSPs in the local governments.”

The LAWMA boss maintained that residents should collaborate with the desk officers and report any lapses in service of the PSP operators to them.

He frowned at the conversion of parks, kerbs, and laybys to refuse dumps.

In her contribution, Mrs Tawa Adenuga, Iyaloja General, Ikosi- Ejinrin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Agbowa Epe, who represented the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, promised to convey the outcome of the Meeting to market men and women in the Senatorial District.

The Lagos East Senatorial District covers Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Kosofe, and Somolu.

Recall that about a fortnight ago, the Lagos Central edition of the Stakeholders’ Meeting was held at the same venue where the State government frowned at street and roadside trading across the State.

It played host to stakeholders from Apapa, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.