Lagos begins evacuation of refuse heaps from streets

Ojuwoye market after intervention

The Lagos State Government has begun the evacuation of heaps of refuse from the streets of Lagos.

In recent times there have been heaps of refuse all around Lagos as a result of the stoppage of PSP operators from evacuating domestic refuse.

The new move is part of the sanitation intervention programme to address the challenges arising from the transition to a new solid waste management system in the State.

A statement issued by the Ministry of the Environment said the Sanitation Intervention Programme became necessary to ensure that no vacuum was created during the transition from the old waste management system to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.

The statement added that refuse has been evacuated from the nooks and crannies of the State since the intervention programme commenced in all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in June to maintain a clean and hygienic State.

It recalled that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s passion for the environment led to a holistic review of the waste management system and the introduction of a sustainable and more efficient solid waste management system tagged: the “Cleaner Lagos Initiative”.

Consequently, refuse dumped indiscriminately in places such as Ojuwoye, Mushin, Eti-Osa, Agege, Alimosho, Ojo, Ikeja, Badagary, Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and other areas have been promptly carted away in order to restore cleanliness and purity within the environment in Lagos State.

The Ministry encouraged Lagosians to cooperate with the state government by desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places while assuring that the new system would enhance the aesthetics of the State and evolve a new sub-sector in the economy of Lagos.