PSP, recycler commend Igbokwe for desilting drains, plead for citizens’ co-operation
By Damilola Kushimo
A private sector participant (PSP) and waste recycler have commended the Lagos State Government for its consistent efforts in desilting drains in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The Special Adviser on Drainages to the Governor, Engr. Joe Igbokwe had assured that the government, which desilted 30 kilometres of drains last year, would redouble its efforts ahead of the rains this year.
Personnel from the Office of Drainage Services under the State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources have become familiar faces in the community in recent times as they have been seen more often evacuating blockages from drainages on routes in the council area.
Some of the evacuated drainage channels include Osolo Road, Isolo-Mushin Road, Ago-Palace Way and Okota Way.
Commenting on the development, the CEO of a recycling company in the council area, Greenhill Recycling, Mrs. Mariam Lawani commended the state government for the efforts but feared the lackadaisical attitude of residents towards waste disposal might undermine the development.
She called for a change of attitude among the residents by showing more sense of responsibility with their wastes and sorting out the recyclable ones for exchange from recyclers.
Lawani, who strongly condemned the indiscriminate disposal of waste by residents, said efforts of her company to exchange articles for waste has not recorded positive records.
“We’ve provided the opportunity for them to exchange their wastes for wealth but some show discontent no matter what we give. But this (recycling) is the future. The residents need to understand they need to show a greater sense of responsibility for their wastes and recycling is one of the ways to do that or else government’s efforts, as we’re seeing in the community, will be defeated and it is the residents that will still end up bearing the burnt when flood begins to ravage the community. There is a great need for residents to have a positive change of attitude to their waste disposal.”
Also speaking, a PSP operator explained that PSPs in the community are working tirelessly to serve the community and complement government’s effort geared towards having a cleaner and healthier environment.
The PSP operator stressed that the residents need to stop patronising cart pushers and desist from dumping waste indiscriminately or keeping illegal dump sites in the community.
“We (PSP Operators) are working tirelessly to complement the state government’s efforts in terms of making the area clean but the obstinate decision of some residents to patronise cart pushers and dump their wastes indiscriminately remains a problem in the community. The issue of illegal wastes disposal is another thing. We hope that people can turn away from these and government can also do more enlightenment about indiscriminate waste disposal. If not, all these positive efforts by the government and PSP will amount to nothing at the end of the day.”
