The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has enjoined members of the public to join hands with the authority in addressing the threat of plastic pollution to the environment
Managing Director/CEO of the authority, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, during a programme tagged “Morning Chats on Lagos Recycle”, which was streamed live online via the Zoom app, urged members of the public to embrace recycling instead.
According to him, the authority has introduced a recycling initiative which is aimed at combating plastics pollution.
Citing recent statistics, Odumbomi said that Lagos State, with a population of 25 million residents, generates about 14,000 metric tonnes of wastes daily, out of which 3,500 metric tonnes are recyclables like plastics, bottles and papers.
He warned that the trend will expose the environment to serious dangers if not properly checked.
He added, ” As part of the Lagos Recycle initiative, the authority has set up recycling centers at strategic locations in the state, with the vision to have a recycling center per local government. This would serve as collation centers for recyclables, thus ensuring the minimization of wastes that end up at the dumpsites.”
He revealed further that not less than 400 aggregators were recently commissioned at Olusosun as part of measures to drive effective implementation of the Lagos Recycle program.
The LAWMA boss further informed that apart from making the state cleaner, healthier and livable, “the Lagos Recycle initiative would help create jobs for the teeming youth population, who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs, with over 6,000 jobs to be created”.
He said the Authority has launched the PAKAM app, which will seamlessly connect all stakeholders; including residents, recyclers a waste aggregators, amongst others.
He also encouraged the populace to take advantage of the immense opportunities provided by the initiative.
“For any enquiries and complaints on waste management related issues, feel free to reach us on LAWMA toll-free lines 07080601020 and 617,” he said.
