Where did we get it wrong?
Sometime in July 2017, the Lagos state government restricted the 350 indigenous Incorporated Trustees Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria popularly called PSP (Private Sector Participation) operators in partnership with LAWMA from conducting their usual waste management business in Lagos, then the project handled by 350 operators was officially handed over to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of Visionscape Group (a multinational company) and ABC Solutions Limited.

What this simply means is that the Lagos state government bluntly shut down the business of 350 PSP operators (who had been operating in Lagos terrain since over fifteen years) then awarded the contract to some foreign investors who are just new to the complex waste management system in Lagos.

ChangetheChange:


Visionscape is just a conduit pipe being used to loot money on behalf of Ambode and his inner caucus

Cromagnon:
chei see beta business na to buy shares in visionscape na

anibirelawal:


You know too well... Na beta investment be dat o

FarahAideed:
Vision scape made a mistake by creating rubbish attraction points around the city and that where the got it wrong , those points are attracting far more refuse than can be evacuated because of the short sightedness of the operations

kurlarday:

They made a serious mistake. They should have consulted those guys that have been doing the business for several years.

maclatunji:
Maybe Governor Ambode's enemies prayers are working on him over this Lagos refuse matter. It is beyond shocking.

HubertHarold:
Take a look at the pictures below, this is the new Lagos for real, if care is not taken, our dream of making Lagos state a smart metropolitan city may soon become a fantasy. Almost everywhere is dirty; both mainland and Island, you don’t have to move too far before you start perceiving the stench of refuse pilled up at street corners, corridors, roadside and just anywhere.

Where did we get it wrong?
Sometime in July 2017, the Lagos state government restricted the 350 indigenous Incorporated Trustees Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria popularly called PSP (Private Sector Participation) operators in partnership with LAWMA from conducting their usual waste management business in Lagos, then the project handled by 350 operators was officially handed over to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of Visionscape Group (a multinational company) and ABC Solutions Limited. What this simply means is that the Lagos state government bluntly shut down the business of 350 PSP operators (who had been operating in Lagos terrain since over fifteen years) then awarded the contract to some foreign investors who are just new to the complex waste management system in Lagos.

For records, PSP operators have been in partnership with LAWMA since 1999 during the administration of the then Lagos state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also, during ex-governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s tenure in Lagos, there was a need to continue with the existing system but with a well scrutinized and standard structure. Fashola made the system more competitive and effective by giving award to the most efficient PSP operators and screening the over one thousand indigenous operators that showed interest in the waste management business to 350 operators. Those who met the requirements were compelled by the government to get a compactor, a liaison office and garage. Some of these operators had to get bank loan to finance these projects.

Here are some facts I will leave you to ponder on…
• Lagos state generates 14,000 tons of waste per day but Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has 5,000 tons evacuation capacity. This means that after a week (i.e. 7 days), Lagos will have 98,000 tons of refuse requiring evacuation while Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has only moved 35,000 tons, leaving a balance of 63,000 tons of refuse per week.

• Lagos state needs roughly 1500 compactors to meet the daily needs of waste management but Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has only 50 compactors. This is probably because a new compactor costs over 70 million naira with shipping and import duty; that means it costs about 105 billion naira to acquire 1500 compactors. It is obvious that Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited can’t afford such money yet, so that is why they have quietly invited some PSP operators to join them.

• With PSP operators, you don’t need to take your refuse anywhere to litter the street, all you need to do is to wait till they come once in a week then you take it right to their truck but this current system requires you to drop your refuse at the main/major road before the Visionscape operators come to pick them. There are even some areas in Lagos that are not yet covered till date.

• LAWMA’s corporate offices at Mushin, Ojodu, Oshodi, Simpson etc. were taken from LAWMA by the government and given to a foreign company whereas the local investors (PSP operators) were compelled to build or let their liaison offices and garages. Some of them are still indebted to banks.

• Lagos state government has given these key environmental waste management responsibilities to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited: recycling of wastes generated plant, building landfill sites, marine waste, building transfer loading stations, building material recovery facilities, drainage clearing and street sweeping.

Just recently, President Muhammadu Buhari signed Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components. For those who don’t know, the Executive Order is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy. Owing to the authority vested in him by the constitution, the president ordered that all ‘‘procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.’’ Basically, the idea of Lagos state government giving preference to Visionscape Group at the detriment of our indigenous 350 PSP operators is totally against the interest of the Executive Order 5. I see Lagos state as a brand which needs to be effectively managed without sentiments, greed or selfish interest or else the big dream will be nothing but fantasy. Eko o ni baje o! I remain your brand inspector.

imhotep:
APCheat

Customer80:
This is mile 2, pig's roaming everywhere

HubertHarold:
Take a look at the pictures below, this is the new Lagos for real, if care is not taken, our dream of making Lagos state a smart metropolitan city may soon become a fantasy. Almost everywhere is dirty; both mainland and Island, you don’t have to move too far before you start perceiving the stench of refuse pilled up at street corners, corridors, roadside and just anywhere.

Where did we get it wrong?
Sometime in July 2017, the Lagos state government restricted the 350 indigenous Incorporated Trustees Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria popularly called PSP (Private Sector Participation) operators in partnership with LAWMA from conducting their usual waste management business in Lagos, then the project handled by 350 operators was officially handed over to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of Visionscape Group (a multinational company) and ABC Solutions Limited. What this simply means is that the Lagos state government bluntly shut down the business of 350 PSP operators (who had been operating in Lagos terrain since over fifteen years) then awarded the contract to some foreign investors who are just new to the complex waste management system in Lagos.

For records, PSP operators have been in partnership with LAWMA since 1999 during the administration of the then Lagos state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also, during ex-governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s tenure in Lagos, there was a need to continue with the existing system but with a well scrutinized and standard structure. Fashola made the system more competitive and effective by giving award to the most efficient PSP operators and screening the over one thousand indigenous operators that showed interest in the waste management business to 350 operators. Those who met the requirements were compelled by the government to get a compactor, a liaison office and garage. Some of these operators had to get bank loan to finance these projects.

Here are some facts I will leave you to ponder on…
• Lagos state generates 14,000 tons of waste per day but Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has 5,000 tons evacuation capacity. This means that after a week (i.e. 7 days), Lagos will have 98,000 tons of refuse requiring evacuation while Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has only moved 35,000 tons, leaving a balance of 63,000 tons of refuse per week.

• Lagos state needs roughly 1500 compactors to meet the daily needs of waste management but Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited has only 50 compactors. This is probably because a new compactor costs over 70 million naira with shipping and import duty; that means it costs about 105 billion naira to acquire 1500 compactors. It is obvious that Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited can’t afford such money yet, so that is why they have quietly invited some PSP operators to join them.

• With PSP operators, you don’t need to take your refuse anywhere to litter the street, all you need to do is to wait till they come once in a week then you take it right to their truck but this current system requires you to drop your refuse at the main/major road before the Visionscape operators come to pick them. There are even some areas in Lagos that are not yet covered till date.

• LAWMA’s corporate offices at Mushin, Ojodu, Oshodi, Simpson etc. were taken from LAWMA by the government and given to a foreign company whereas the local investors (PSP operators) were compelled to build or let their liaison offices and garages. Some of them are still indebted to banks.

• Lagos state government has given these key environmental waste management responsibilities to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited: recycling of wastes generated plant, building landfill sites, marine waste, building transfer loading stations, building material recovery facilities, drainage clearing and street sweeping.

Just recently, President Muhammadu Buhari signed Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components. For those who don’t know, the Executive Order is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy. Owing to the authority vested in him by the constitution, the president ordered that all ‘‘procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.’’ Basically, the idea of Lagos state government giving preference to Visionscape Group at the detriment of our indigenous 350 PSP operators is totally against the interest of the Executive Order 5. I see Lagos state as a brand which needs to be effectively managed without sentiments, greed or selfish interest or else the big dream will be nothing but fantasy. Eko o ni baje o! I remain your brand inspector.

Customer80:
This is mile 2, pig's roaming everywhere

delpee:
What one sees on our roads now is so disgusting! This Dirtier Lagos scheme will transform into disaster when the rains come. Too much bad belle against his predecessors maybe.

Lagos was already clean. Why did he have to change things?

He was voted for continuity now he's destroying the foundation on which he should be building on. What's the purpose of building beautiful roads that will be overtaken by refuse and flood? Also great health challenges ahead. Poor people who can barely feed will now be looking for funds to cover medical expenses whether it's hospital or herb dealers. Village people will have more curses based on illnesses they know nothing about.

It's not too late to rescind or modify the decision. After all its obvious that the Oyinbo contractors can't cope. Besides the other method was more community based, ensured cleanliness and created employment for our people.

delpee:
What one sees on our roads now is so disgusting! This Dirtier Lagos scheme will transform into disaster when the rains come. Too much bad belle against his predecessors maybe.

Lagos was already clean. Why did he have to change things? He was voted for continuity now he's destroying the foundation on which he should be building on. What's the purpose of building beautiful roads that will be overtaken by refuse and flood? Also great health challenges ahead. Poor people who can barely feed will now be looking for funds to cover medical expenses whether it's hospital or herb dealers. Village people will have more curses based on illnesses they know nothing about.

It's not too late to rescind or modify the decision. After all its obvious that the Oyinbo contractors can't cope. Besides the other method was more community based, ensured cleanliness and created employment for our people.

budiliscious:
In fact, Ambode really mess Lagos up.