Ayodele Olalere
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has began the massive clean-up of the Orile-Badagry Expressway as follow-up to the recent launch of the Blue Box Programme by the state government.
The agency also urged Lagosians to imbibe the culture of waste sorting at source by dropping all recyclable items in one bag and other waste items in another.
It is recalled the state government had, last week, launched Blue Box Programme, where residents were sensitized on waste sorting for the purpose of recycling..
According to the Managing Director of the Agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who spoke at Orile Bus Stop, during a road show organised by LAWMA along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, said the agency embarked on the massive sensitisation programme, to draw the attention of residents in the area to the need for proper sanitation and cleaner surroundings.
He maintained that the programme was aimed at creating awareness among residents and to distribute waste bags.
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“Today we’ve come to sensitise the community on how to maintain a clean environment because a clean environment is the beginning of good health for all Lagosians. If you don’t have a clean environment, you cannot enjoy good health”, Dr. Gbadegesin said.
Speaking further he said, “You were keeping one waste bag before, but now you will be keeping two bags; one bag for your recyclable materials like plastic bottles, cans and water sachets while the other bag is for general waste.
“That is why we are distributing the bags to you, for the ‘Blue Box’ programme which the governor launched last week.”
“I also want you to stop the idea of using refuse to reclaim land. This is an unwholesome practice that is harmful to the environment and must be discontinued”, he stressed.
The LAWMA boss also stated that the agency, as a follow-up to the recent executive order on sanitation by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had commenced massive clean-up exercises along Orile – Lagos Badagry Expressway, to ensure that the stretch was rid of black spots and all forms of environmental nuisance.
He urged residents in the area to support government’s efforts by embracing right environmental practices, to protect them from dangers of environmental pollution, adding that the Authority had commenced distribution of trash bags, in line with the blue box programme, to enable residents sort their wastes properly for recycling.
