The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has demolished shanties and other illegal structures used by street traders and traffic vendors, along the First and Second Toll Gates, of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, in a comprehensive enforcement exercise, that lasted for hours. That corridor has of late become notorious, for sustained traffic congestion and other environmental nuisance, largely aided by the illegal activities of those vendors. Commenting on the exercise, the managing director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, condemned in clear terms, the activities of those traders, warning that anyone caught trying to re-assemble the structures would be instantly arrested and prosecuted. He said, "We have declared zero tolerance on street trading along the Lekki-Epe Expressway as these activities have led to significant environmental nuisances and traffic congestion. It is our duty to ensure that our city remains clean and habitable for all residents and visitors. Hence, we urge all traders to vacate the expressway immediately and avoid any further environmental infractions". Furthermore, the LAWMA boss appealed to residents to take a new approach in how they treat the environment. He stressed the importance of environmental responsibility, cautioning that stringent penalties awaited those who continued to disregard the regulations in place. Odumboni hinted that the crackdown on street trading would be sustained in that axis and extended to others in the metropolis, in line with LAWMA's broader mission to improve the overall cleanliness and livability of Lagos, adding that arrested offenders would be prosecuted, with their names and photographs published.
Tag: Ibrahim Odumboni
Eid-el-Fitr: Dispose Your Waste Properly, LAWMA Urges Residents
As Lagosians prepare to celebrate the Eid-il-Fitr festival, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has appealed to residents to shun indiscriminate waste disposal, reiterating its commitment to ensuring a clean and healthy environment during and after the festive season. The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, in a press statement, noted that waste management was an essential service that must be provided for the well-being of the people and the environment. He assured residents that LAWMA was prepared to handle the expected increase in waste generation during the festive season, urging them to properly bag their waste and put them in covered bins, to avoid loose waste on the road median and setbacks. The LAWMA helmsman stated that PSP operators had been directed to discharge their duties effectively with the agency offering backup services to fill in any gaps. "We understand that there will be an increase in waste generation during the festive season, but we want to assure Lagosians that LAWMA is prepared to handle it. We have intensified our waste management efforts and are providing backup trucks for our PSP operators to ensure that waste is promptly collected and disposed of," he said. Odumboni also implored residents to refrain from activities that could damage the environment and endanger the lives of people, but to support efforts of LAWMA to make the metropolis livable for all. He said, "We want to appeal to residents to desist from acts capable of making life miserable for the environment and its inhabitants. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys a clean and healthy environment during and after the Eid-il-Fitr celebrations." Odumboni wished all residents a joyful and clean Eid-il-Fitr celebration, while encouraging them to call LAWMA's toll-free lines: 07080601020 and 617, for inquiries on waste management in their areas during and after the festive season.
LAWMA Visits Plastic Recycling Facility – Naijanewsdirect
The Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), and the state's Ministry of the Environment, have paid a field visit to Polysmart, a wholly indigenous multimillion dollar plastic recycling facility, located in Aiyetoro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to explore areas of partnership, towards solving plastic pollution challenge in the state and across the country. The firm which began production in 2021, is into complete recycling of used plastic bottles, from collection to the production of six million food grade pet bottles on daily basis. Speaking during the facility tour of the factory, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the establishment of that firm was a dream come through, in actualization of the uncommon diligence and determination of the management team of the firm. He said," This is a strong indicator that LAWMA is making all best possible efforts at ensuring plastic pollution is tackled in the state and here we are with Polysmart. I could remember vividly the day I met with the MD and we discussed on the possibility of having a collection system for solid waste. I must commend you and your team for your resilience". "In a state where we have about 12 million of used plastic, if Polysmart collects 7million on a daily basis, gradually, plastic pollution will go off and we will have a plastic free environment. That is why LAWMA is advocating the two bin system for the collection of waste and sorting of recyclables", he stressed. Odumboni however challenged the firm to work with LAWMA Academy, to boost knowledge of waste management among the children and youth in the state. Also Speaking, the permanent secretary of the Office of Environmental Services of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, expressed delight in the company's initiative, stressing that the emergence of Polysmart will no doubt help the ministry and LAWMA to provide a lasting solution to plastic pollution epidemic in Lagos State. In his words, " This is a testament that some people still believe
Easter: LAWMA Felicitates With Christians
...expresses readiness for the festivities The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has expressed readiness to cater to the waste management needs of residents before, during, and after the Easter festivities. The managing director/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who gave the indication in a release, affirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment in Lagos, during and after the Easter celebrations. He said, to achieve this goal, the agency has stepped up its operations by adding more fleets across all districts in the state, adding that PSP operators had also been directed to work efficiently in their designated areas irrespective of assigned days, with the agency providing backup services to bridge any gap. "We want to assure residents that LAWMA has made adequate arrangements by adding more trucks across all the districts to ensure that this year's Easter celebration was observed in an environmentally friendly atmosphere. PSP operators have also been mandated to ensure prompt evacuation of waste generated by tenements, during and after the festive period", Odumboni said. He implored the populace to avoid acts that could pollute the environment, and advised motorists to drive with caution, considering the sanitation workers (street sweepers) and other service providers discharging their duties during the period. While wishing Lagosians a clean Easter celebration, the LAWMA boss urged residents to bag their waste, patronise assigned PSP operators, and promptly pay their waste management bills. For waste management related issues in your area, call LAWMA toll-free numbers 07080601020 and 617.
LAWMA Commences Placement of Abatement Notices on Houses Without Bins
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has, on 1st of April 2023, commenced placement of abatement notices on homes without waste bins across the state, in a move aimed at ensuring proper waste management and environmental hygiene in Lagos State. Commenting on the development, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, noted the importance of waste bins in homes for promoting a clean and healthy environment, adding that bins provided a designated space for domestic waste disposal, helping to prevent littering and indiscriminate dumping of refuse on streets. He said, "Proper waste management is a key component of maintaining a clean and healthy environment. Waste bins provide a designated location for waste disposal, and this helps to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain a hygienic environment". He also warned that the enforcement of the use of waste bins by tenements across the state would begin on 1st June, 2023, stressing that, the agency has set up a task force responsible for ensuring compliance in all homes. "We have set up a task force that will be responsible for enforcing the use of waste bins across the state. The task force will be working closely with community leaders, stakeholders and other relevant agencies to ensure compliance with the policy," he emphasised. Odumboni urged residents to embrace the use of waste bins and make it a habit to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner, calling on landlords and property owners to provide waste bins for their properties and ensure they are regularly emptied and maintained. In a related development, LAWMA has organised an orientation programme for its enforcement and abatement notice teams, on standard rules and proper conduct while engaging tenements on the issue of procurement of smart waste bins, for their homes. The Executive Director of Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, who represented the MD/CEO of LAWMA, at the event, emphasised the importance of the authority’s Adopt-a-Bin project, meant to curb waste migration, indiscriminate dumping, and to enhance waste recycling, while
LAWMA Nominated For The GreenVETAfrica Project
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has been nominated as one of the four African partners in the GreenVETAfrica project, according to a release from the authority. GreenVETAfrica project is an Erasmus+ project funded, by the European Commission, seeking to integrate unemployed youth and vulnerable groups into the labour markets in Nigeria and Ghana, by offering technical and entrepreneurial training on green waste management. The Green Waste Management and Micro Entrepreneurship Vocational Education Training project, aims to contribute to the twin transitions (Green and Digital), in alignment with the ambitious environmental objectives of the European Green Deal and the Europe – Africa strategic partnership. Commenting on the nomination, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that it was delightful that LAWMA was a part of the project, as it aligned with the Authority’s mandate of providing an efficient and sustainable waste management system in Lagos State. Odumboni said, “LAWMA is committed to promoting a sustainable environment and a circular development model that will transform linear economy into a circular one. This project aligns with the agency's vision to promote sustainable development and create job opportunities for the youth in Lagos, Nigeria. As a responsible waste management authority, LAWMA believes that waste is a resource and can be transformed into a valuable asset. The GreenVETAfrica project will equip young Nigerians with the skills to manage waste sustainably, promote a circular economy, and reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment’, he said. He noted further that, as one of the beneficiaries of the GreenVETAfrica project, LAWMA would strengthen its training capacities to offer a green waste management vocational training programme to young Nigerians, adding that, through innovative digital tools, the programme would equip young Nigerians with the necessary skills to reduce waste and pollution, making better use of waste generated, and guaranteeing environmental standards. “The GreenVETAfrica
LAWMA Partners Firms For CSR To Communities [Photos]
Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has partnered AOA Windstream and Applistructure Consulting Ltd to launch a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, tagged "LAWMA GrassRoots Benefit," which saw the distribution of packages of essential commodities, to the people of Otto, Ijora-Olopa and Ilaje communities. Speaking at the event, which held at LAWMA's headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the grassroots benefits program was designed to cater for the needs of the less privileged members of communities, including those of low-income, the unemployed, and vulnerable groups. He said the CSR program included various components, such as food stamps, unemployment benefits, scholarships, free healthcare, empowerment programs, and admission into LAWMA Academy, adding that the program would assist the food budget of low-income people and support small businesses experiencing temporary difficulties. "The GrassRoots Benefit program is an aid program to help those who have lost their jobs. It can help with unemployment insurance benefits, finding a job and training. If you need help paying for admission into tertiary institutions, technical, or other vocations, GrassRoots Benefits is the option you may be eligible for from the LGA and other sources," Mr. Odumboni said. He appreciated the people of those communities (Otto, Ijora-Olopa and Ilaje), for supporting the Authority over the years, noting that the gesture was a way of giving back to the people, to foster more positive relationship, while also urging them to exercise their civic responsibility, by voting in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections. The LAWMA CEO expressed his gratitude to AOA Windstream and Applistructure Consulting Ltd for partnering with LAWMA to launch the GrassRoots Benefit program, reiterating LAWMA's commitment to providing sustainable solutions for waste management and improving the quality of life for residents. Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of AOA Windstream, Cole Adeboyejo, disclosed that the company’s decision to identify with the communities was informed
LAWMA Celebrates Female Staff On International Women’s Day
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), with Godrej, May & Baker, has marked the International Women's Day by celebrating the female staff, as the real faces of waste management in the state’.The event, which was held at LAWMA's headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, Lagos, featured speeches, presentations, and recognition of female staff members who have contributed immensely to the agency's success.In his opening address, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, showered praise on LAWMA sanitation workers (sweepers), whom he described as worthy heroines.He highlighted the importance of women's empowerment and the need to create an environment where women could thrive and contribute meaningfully to the development of our society, urging them to continue to work hard towards achieving the agency’s goals.He said: "As we celebrate International Women's Day today, let usremember that women are an integral part of our society, and we must continue to support their growth and development. I am so proud of you and your contributions to the cleanliness of our city. You are the first to come out daily, you are the face of LAWMA.Mr. Odumboni also copiously commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s support for the agency, noting that: "We are fortunate to have a governor who is committed to real development of the state.In his address, the managing director of Godrej, Mr. Chitwan Singh,represented by Mr. Abel Idonije, copiously praised LAWMA’s efforts atkeeping the city clean, which according to him has prevented sicknesses and outbreak of diseases.Also speaking, the representative of May & Baker, Mrs. Essien Omotola Opeyemi, urged women to always ensure their total wellness, to enable them to take care of their families.In her presentation on the theme: “Women in Technology”, Mrs. BolaAdeniran, Director Procurement, LAWMA, told the women to step up and close the gender gap on issues of technology and ICT, to widenemployment space
LAWMA, Lotus Empower Widows
No fewer than 300 widows benefited from the empowerment programme organised by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in conjunction with LOTUS Bank. The event, which held at the Authority's Ogudu Zonal Office on Wednesday, had in attendance widows in the employment of LAWMA and other waste service providers in the state. In his welcome address, the Managing Director/ CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu prioritised the welfare of widows, adding that the empowerment was achieved with his support. He said, “This is not the first time we will be doing this, we did it during last year's Ramadan and by God's grace, it is already part of our plans to replicate same, come this year’s Ramadan. We cherish you a lot, and the governor does not take your welfare lightly. "Today, we have the partnership of LOTUS Bank, which has joined us in this progressive train, to take care of your financial needs, as you open accounts with them today. Do not forget to exercise your civic responsibilities during the forthcoming elections, vote for the right candidate, we will continue to support you," he said. The Managing Director of LOTUS Bank, Kafayat Araoye, represented by the General Manager, Yemisi Mayagbon, expressed appreciation to the widows for embracing the bank, promising them a robust collaboration for business loans. While assuring the women of ease and quicker access to their money, especially with the current money crisis at banks, she assured their constant commitment to women empowerment. Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Tawa Obakoya and Olawunmi Badmus, who received given electronic blenders and food items, thanked the organisers for the initiative, promising their continuous support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration. Also present at the event were: the Executive Director of LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi; Executive Director of LOTUS Bank, Mr. Isiaka Ajani Lawal,
LAWMA Organises Medical Checks For Sanitation Workers (Photos) – Naijanewsdirect
No fewer than 1000 sanitation workers (street sweepers) benefitted from the free medical screening, organised by the Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), at the Authority's Transfer Loading Station, Simpson - Sura, Lagos Island. In his opening remarks, the Managing Director/ CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, emphasised the need for sweepers to take matters of their health seriously, hence the outreach and the health insurance for them. He reiterated that the sanitation workers, whom he tagged LAWMA heroes, working round the clock, remained the first point of contact, in the effort to keep Lagos clean. He said: "You are our heroes and I do not want to lose any of you. We understand the nature of your job, we cannot afford to toy with your health, as many of you don't visit the hospital regularly for checkups. Therefore, today, the medical officers here will do your blood pressure, sugar level, urine test and so on. “You will be given drugs based on your test results. The present administration appreciates your effort, and we will continue to do more of this, another one is coming up by December. Your health is important to us," he noted. Odumboni urged the sweepers to continue to be diligent, and to be more vigilant, while discharging their duties, imploring them to place safety cones at visible spots, to protect them. LAWMA’s medical team lead, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Okoh, stressed that over 1000 sanitation workers from LAWMA’s East1, East 2 and Central 1 Districts, were registered for the exercise, adding that the screening was aimed at detecting undiagnosed cases of hypertension, diabetes and hepatitis B. Okoh added that medical consultations would be done for new and old medical cases, while referrals would be made to government hospitals, for persons with chronic ailments. One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Oriade Aleshinloye, noted that the exercise would