LAWMA To Deregister Ineffective PSP Operators

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) said on Tuesday that it would deregister PSP operators that failed to do their jobs.

LAWMA Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the success of LAWMA depended much on the PSP operators.

NAN reports that Kadiri was reacting to allegations by some Lagos residents that the PSP operators were not noticeable in some areas.

“The involvement of PSP in waste disposal in the state was borne out of the need to assist LAWMA tackle the massive daily turnout of waste,” she said.

Kadiri advised communities whose refuse was not collected on designated days as required by the PSP operators to call LAWMA officials for backup.

“We appeal to residents to call the attention of LAWMA to defaulting PSP operators in their localities.

“We expect residents to inform us of any PSP operator who fails to collect refuse and waste when due, as we rely on them for such information,” she said.

On the activities of cart pushers, Kadiri said LAWMA was doing its best to discourage cart pushers whose waste disposal patterns were below accepted standards.

“The activities of the cart pushers popularly known as ‘Kole Kole’ are not acceptable as they are the major reasons for the blockage of drains in parts of the metropolis.

“Most of the human causes of flooding in the state have been traced to the inappropriate act of the cart pushers,” she said.

She reiterated the ban on cart pushers, warning that persons who engage in the act would be dealt with.

“Cart pushers are not an alternative to waste evacuation. They are not licensed and not suppose to pick up refuse. Patronising cart pushers is not the alternative,” Kadiri said.

She advised residents to call 08023138576 and 08033205549 or send text messages to LAWMA Toll Free Line of 5577 for waste management issues.

However, residents have described cart pushers as more effective than the PSP operators especially as they could reach the nooks and crannies of the metropolis.

They argued that cart pushers were of tremendous assistance to residents in the collection of refuse for a fee.

Mrs. Nonye Okafor, a hair dresser at Abiodun Right, Surulere, said LAWMA services had been skeletal, forcing her to patronise cart pushers.

“I make use of kole kole (cart pushers) when I need to throw away my refuse. I don’t wait for LAWMA because they don’t come and when they come, they ask for receipts for services they never rendered.

“I pay cart pushers between N300 and N500, depending on the size of the refuse, LAWMA should recognize these people for their assistance to the community,” Okafor said.

Mr. Sylvester Okon, a civil servant on Western Avenue, Ojuelegba, agreed that cart pushers should be recognised for their efforts in collecting refuse.

“I pay my LAWMA bill of N500 per flat with skeletal services. The PSP operators do not come around as often as we see the cart pusher,” he said.