23rd October, 2018
The Lagos State Government has met with the Private Sector Participation, PSP, operators in Waste Management, saying they should go back to their various areas of operation and restore door-to-door evacuation of waste.
Addressing operators at the meeting, held at LAWMA Office, Ijora on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello stated that in making good its promise to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment, the government of Lagos State had constituted a committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, to thoroughly review the situation and design template for the restoration of the services of PSP operators.
“This move is to reassure you that we are set on a new beginning and it is to consolidate what we have achieved. Everybody must work together to restore the glory of Lagos”, he said.
He said that the government had appointed Mr. Ola Oresanya, former General Manager of LAWMA, as a consultant to work with the State to fashion out a format for the restoration of door-to-door waste collection.
He urged the PSP operators to be ready for work and set aside any misgivings, adding that he was in constant touch with the leadership of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) who had assured him of their cooperation.
Earlier, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti urged all stakeholders to recognise the urgent need to clear the backlog of waste in the metropolis, while a holistic solution was being worked out simultaneously.
“Being aware that PSP operators were in business to make profit and sustain employment, government therefore enjoins residents to pay for waste collection by the PSP operators”, he added.
Speaking on behalf of the PSP operators, the Chairman of AWAM, Mr. Oladipo Egbeyemi expressed his appreciation to the government for the development and urged for thorough situation review and provision of enabling environment for unhindered performance by his members.