HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY, 2022 AT SIMPSON TRANSFER LOADING STATION(TLS), SURA, LAGOS ISLAND.
Protocol,
Last year, when I commissioned LAWMA’s 102 trucks and 100 double-dino bins, I emphasized the importance of recycling as the way to go; as a source of economic empowerment for the people, and as a way of reducing pressure on our saturated landfills, around the state.
I am pleased to note that LAWMA is gradually building on the Lagos Recycle Initiative, which has started bearing fruits, especially in the area of economic empowerment for our people.
The gospel of waste sorting at source is now gaining ground; individual pickers of recyclable items are increasing by the day, recycling firms are springing up, and final off-takers are getting busier, with everyone harvesting their income, along the waste management value chain.
It is gladdening to note, that our people are getting to know that what they had regarded as thrash before, is actually money and not waste anymore.
Today, we are at the threshold of another phase, in our Lagos Recycle Initiative, as we launch standard waste bins, for the “Adopt -a- Bin” project, which is LAWMA’s latest baby. The bins come in two colours; the green for general waste and the blue for recyclable items are for containerizing waste. These are not ordinary bins; but smart ones, built to last, and in accordance with internationally recognized quality standards. They are fitted with intelligent devices that enable tracking and identification. These unique devices also make it possible to register every single bin to individual addresses, for easy communication on issues relating to them.
Distinguished guests, at the inception of this administration, we had a clear roadmap of our journey, to a cleaner Lagos city with a sustainable environment.
In accordance with that road map, we have systematically unfolded our plans and strategies, one initiative after another, like the procurement of the 102 trucks and double dino bins; launch of Lagos Recycle Initiative, and now we are formally bringing “Adopt-a-Bin” project to life for homes, offices, churches, mosques, etc.
The whole essence of the standard waste bins is to simplify the process of waste management from the source. When you acquire the bins, you simply sort your waste and drop all recyclable items like cans, plastic, cartons, water sachet, etc. in the blue bin; while you drop the general waste in the green bin.
The stability of those bins, ensure easy handling by the waste collectors, who come around periodically, to empty them. While the PSP operators show up to empty the green bins, the recyclers come around for the blue, containing the recyclable items, which are weighed and recorded, until you are ready for redemption in cash or kind.
I like to use this opportunity, to commend all PSP operators in the State for their contribution to the implementation of the Health and Environment pillar of our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda through their dedication to ensuring regular disposal of refuse from our homes. I urge you to continually improve on your efforts especially in ensuring the success of the initiative we are launching today.
I also commend our over 14,000 LAWMA sweepers, that work day and night to keep our highways clean. We appreciate your efforts. I will like to appeal to motorists, to always give consideration to our sweepers on the highways, to avoid any untoward incident. Their lives are precious, and we as a Government will not spare any erring motorist found culpable of harassing or knocking down any sweeper be it deliberate or otherwise.
Distinguished guests and my dear Lagosians, the message we are sending out today, is that every home should try and acquire the waste bins. The PSP operators have a major role to play here, in ensuring that the bins get to every home across the length and breadth of Lagos State.
I am aware that the “PAKAM App” is effectively in place, facilitating communication and cooperation among residents and registered recyclers. I implore everyone, to take advantage of the technology, to drive the process, and tap into the abundant economic opportunities in recycling, and waste management in general.
On this note, I will make a passionate appeal to corporate bodies, to incorporate in their CSR initiatives, the adoption of communities, especially, low-income areas, for mass provision of the waste bins. You have made similar purposeful engagements in the past, and we trust, that you can replicate it again in this instance.
I urge all residents, markets, schools, hospitals, etc. to play their own individual roles, towards achieving a constantly clean cityscape and sustainable environment. Your individual roles primarily include prompt payment of waste bills to the PSP operators, for them to stay in business.
From our own end as a Government, we will continue to support LAWMA in every way necessary, to keep the city clean and healthy, and make our environment sustainable for the good of everyone.
I thank you all for being part of this programme.
Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
Governor of Lagos State
23rd February 2022.
