Bag Your Refuse Lagosians Told

Culled from Thisday Newspaper

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, has advised Lagosians to cultivate the culture of bagging their refuse, stating that a new LAWMA has been put in place, adding that the activities of the agency will improve rapidly.Tunji Bello, who was speaking at the second quarterly award ceremony for the cleanest Local Government and market in Lagos, said that the award ceremony this year is the first of its kind and another milestone for others to emulate.The Ikoyi Obalende Local Government area emerged winner of the award in the LGA category and went home with N250,000 and a plaque; Ojodu N100,000 and a certificate as the second cleanest, while Agboyi-Ketu took the third position and worn for herself, N50,000 and a certificate.In the market category, Olagunsoye Oyinlola market, Amowo Odofin LGA emerged as the winner, Abasan Estate market second, while Ire-Akari Market came took the third position."On this note, the Lagos State ministry of environment commended the winners both in the local government, markets categories. In return it is expected that all the local governments, markets and mortor parks and garage s, armed forces barracks give this programe the needed support"."The prize award giving ceremony arose out of the implementation of the four cardinal programe of advocacy campaign which include quarterly environmental sanitation competition amongst Local Government Councils; School environmental beautification and landscaping programme; Two days workshops on harmonization of roles amongst environmental agencies and the media campaign. The programme is a follow up of the monthly environmental sanitation demonstration exercise".He added that there was an improvement in the level of awareness of the people on waste management in the urban and sub-urban LGAs, while indigens in the rural LGAs, especially Ijede, Epe, Eredo, Ikosi Ejirin, Badagry among others still see waste disposal as the sole responsibility of the government, stressing that they are unwilling to pay for refuse disposal. Tunji Bello, reiterated that the state government has begun the demolition of structures in drainage channels at Ketu, Alapere, adding that the next phase will be Shomolu and Victoria Island.According to him, a new Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), has been put in place, with well trained personnel's, including graduates. Adding that the state government will train the local government KAI while their salaries will be taken care of by the LGA.