report reaching Africa News Plus has stated that a certain Mr Ayo Eweje, who owns a storey building in Liasu Igboro Cresent, Iyana-era in Lagos is causing serious air pollution in his area, and inconveniencing the residents of the neighborhood.

The residents are calling on the Lagos State government and concerned health authorities to come to their aid after the landlord refused to do the needful even when duly informed of the inconveniences he is causing in the neighborhood.

A resident in the area explained that his building’s toilet soak away is filled up and the landlord has channeled the waste water flowing from the soak away directly to the streets openly, thereby causing a pungent odour in the neighborhood.
Below is a short video footage of the situation:

Video

https://africanewsplus.com/residents-cries-out-as-landlord-channels-toilet-faeces-into-street-in-lagos/?fbclid=IwAR1OYYEWkPTPNcbcwt-yKruAeP7SkzARa1G63mzMXUbONkWLkvjK2kCXPDU

According to our source at Iyana-era area, the residents have lodged several complaints to the owner of the building to address the ugly situation so as to reduce air pollution in the environment but the landlord wouldn’t give a listening ear, but rather harass the complaining residents and sometimes threaten them with area boys.

While investigating the situation, one of the residents who asked to be kept anonymous while talking to our correspondence said they have written the landlord a letter expressing their predicament but the landlord is rather claiming ‘nobody can stop him!’

She bemoaned that the situation is really affecting their lifestyle in the area, as kids can no longer play in the street unlike before due to the pungent smell and even some shop owners have had to shut their door as the situation becomes unbearable.

She further stated that they have now gotten fed up of the situation and call on the Lagos State government, Ojo local government, and the community Chairman to help intervene in the matter. See video below

https://africanewsplus.com/residents-cries-out-as-landlord-channels-toilet-faeces-into-street-in-lagos/?fbclid=IwAR1OYYEWkPTPNcbcwt-yKruAeP7SkzARa1G63mzMXUbONkWLkvjK2kCXPDU

Five months after the first COVID 19 lockdown was announced, Schools in Nigeria have remained under lock and key.

As Africa’s most populated country, Nigeria has been greatly hit by the raging pandemic and the chaos that followed suit. Businesses such as Schools, private owned companies have all been suffering from harsh economic times, the government owned agencies have also not been spared. Its a difficult time for everyone.

Nevertheless, experts says everyone should be prepared to live with the pandemic. ‘It is not going anywhere, anytime soon. We must accept it and learn how to survive in the midst of it,’ an economic expert who spoke with africanewsplus said.

It becomes of no surprise when the Nigerian government announced the reopening of schools for graduating student to write their final examinations. Students in Primary 6 or Basic 6, JSS 3 and SS3 have been asked to return to school for their final exams.

This announcement by the government has elicited diverse reactions from both the parents and students.

africanewsplus Correspondent went into town to get the reactions of Residents of Lagos state.

A student of Isheri Senior Grammer School, Tunde (not real name), commended the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the effort he has made in re-opening schools for final year students.

Tunde said he feels lucky to be resident in the state because unlike others states in the country, the level of preparedness by Lagos to ensure the safety of both students and teachers is top notch.

“I thank the Lagos State governor for re-opening schools for we the final year students, because we’re about to write our senior WAEC, and if we don’t this year, it would cause so much problem writing it next year with upcoming sets.”

Recounting his experience on his first day of resumption, Tunde said both the students and teachers complied with all safety precautions.

“Everybody wore a mask and we were not more than 10 in a class. We closed early than our usual time, just four hours for each day, they released us at 12noon instead of 2pm, so that’s a really good way to reduce the spread of the virus,” Tunde said.

Lagos state is the economic centre of the West Africa Nation and was the state to report the first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Months after, Lagos still leads in the munbers of COVID-19 cases reported and also in the number of Deaths recorded.


https://africanewsplus.com/lagos-re-open-schools-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

The Management of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, has assured Lagosians of its preparedness to tackle all issues that may arise during the rainy season.

The Acting Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni gave this assurance in a chat with Western Post Correspondent at the agency’s Ijora Olopa headquarters.

Odumboni said LAWMA will not relent in its resolve to deliver efficient waste management services to the people of Lagos no matter the circumstance.


‘The raining season has started fully and with the flood comes wastes that are been washed up from gutters and canals. We are aware and on top of the situation. if you go around the state you will see our people, sweepers and PSP operators are everywhere working to ensure wastes are immediately evacuated.’

on assumption of office one month ago, Odumboni immediately went to work, announcing the agency’s plan to increase its solid waste evacuation from tenements and commercial facilities to approved dumpsites from 500 trips daily to 850, to enable it cope with over 12,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in the state.

He said, given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State, it was expected that large volumes of waste would be generated by the people regularly.

To ensure a consistently cleaner Lagos, Odumboni said LAWMA will not relent in the battle to rid Lagos of garbage and other unwanted materials in spite of its many daunting challenges.

The LAWMA boss commended sweepers and waste collectors for their commitment especially at this time.

He said their welfare will continue to be his top priority and as such, he will do all within his jurisdiction to protect their interest.

Check the link below for more details

https://westernpostnigeria.com/raining-season-lawma-assures-lagosians-of-preparedness-to-tackle-wastes-disposal/

Online editors are urgently needed at Africanewsplus, interested candidates should call 08058000508 or send CV to africanewsplus@gmail.com

Online editor needed urgently at africanewsplus.com, if you are interested pls call 08058000508. Or send your CV to africanewsplus@gmail.com

The Acting Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni has said he will not be distracted by aggrieved elements hiding under sponsored protests and videos to cast aspersions on his effort to improve and position the agency rightly.

Odumboni, who became acting MD less than a month ago, said the recent protests and video recording which went viral over the weekend was a lame attempt by some people to stop the ongoing audit process instituted by the executive governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo Olu.

“First, let me say this, the welfare of every staff of LAWMA is our top priority and that includes payments of salaries. Right now what we owe is just one month which is May Salary. And we are on it.”

“Our focus is to upgrade the status of LAWMA while ensuring a consistently cleaner Lagos and we will not be distracted or intimidated by a few persons who are afraid of an audit process set in motion by the governor to ensure that all routes in Lagos are sufficiently manned and all money accounted for,” Odumboni said.

Western Post reports that a group of female protesters dressed in LAWMA’s highway sweepers uniform stormed the state house, Marina, on Friday to protest the non-payment of salaries by LAWMA. They claimed they were been owed three months salaries by the present LAWMA’s Acting Managing Director.

Also, in a video that went viral over the weekend, a male LAWMA supervisor had accused the Acting MD of LAWMA of owing three months salaries. And on several occasions called out the MD over refusal to pay salaries.

However, what came as a surprise to many was not just the issue of delay in payment of salaries but how it could have been possible for a MD who is barely one month in office to be owing three months salaries and arrears.

Many Lagosians who responded to the video are of the opinion these moves are clear attempt to discredit the present LAWMA boss, Odumboni and also stop the audit process that already is revealing the high level corruption and wage padding that was in full operation before the assumption of office by the present Acting MD.

Interestingly, a Highway Supervisor, who spoke with Western Post on anonymity termed the recent happenings in LAWMA a ‘show of shame’ and a desperate attempt by some people to cover their tracks.

“It’s obvious! What else do you want me to say again? How can somebody who just became acting MD be owing three months salaries or arrears? Infact, let me say this, when Mr. Odumboni resumed office, he met backlog of unpaid salaries and arrears and has paid us except for the month of May and we are already concluding plans to begin payment.”

“What is happening is that some people are not happy that their dirty dealings are coming into lime light. They want to stop the audit process and distract this present acting MD from doing his job. It’s all lies, everything you are hearing, the videos, the protests, its all lies and it is obvious for everyone to see. We are in support of the audit process and I can assure you once the audit process is complete, the truth of the matter shall emerge.”

We recall that last month, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had relieved Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin of duties as Managing Director/CEO of the agency and appointed Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni in acting capacity.

While the reason for the ‘shocking’ removal of Dr. Gbadegesin was not made public, our sources say the move became necessary following reports of ruthless spending, wage padding and looting in the agency and to also allow unimpeded forensic audit of LAWMA’s books.

https://westernpostnigeria.com/lawma-sponsored-protests-aimed-at-stopping-ongoing-audit-process-odumboni/

Less than twenty four hours after residents of Surulere woke up to see their streets and compounds covered in wastes, tremendous result have been recorded by the team of LAWMA’s Sanitation Officers, PSP Operators and Sweepers who have worked round the clock to clear the waste.

Some residents who spoke to Western Post expressed their satisfaction at the speed and commitment with which the workers were carrying out the cleaning exercise.

At first glance one could see the relief on the faces of residents who were returning back to the streets and going about their daily activities unhindered.

The situation on Saturday had left many residents concerned and worried especially at this time where personal hygiene and social distancing are top campaign messages to combat the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic that have claimed several lives across the state.

One resident, Mr. Akintayo (not real name) expressed his satisfaction at the rate cleaning exercise is ongoing. Akintayo commended the immediate response of LAWMA led by the acting Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who were first respondents early morning of Sunday.

Akintayo said the attitude of the Sanwo Olu led administration to the welfare of its people only goes to show a government that is attentive to the yearnings of the people.

LAWMA boss, Odumboni, having spent the whole of Sunday monitoring and mobilizing the cleanup exercise, also spent a greater part of Monday on ground in Surulere ensuring that work is on going and all necessary resources were made available.

While this intervention by LAWMA has received commendations from Lagosians, Western Post recalls that in 2017, residents of Surulere woke up to a similar situation and it took about three days before clean-up was done.

Western Post reported that residents of Surulere, particularly those of Akobi Crescent on Sunday woke to see the area covered in wastes following the heavy downpour of Saturday night.

https://westernpostnigeria.com/24hours-after-lawma-cleanup-akobi-crescent-surulere-restores-normalcy-photos/

Cash incentives that you can actually use to buy some groceries, pay for BRT, buy fuel, pay boat fare the things you can do with the card is endless!! I must commend the MD of LAWMA. A young man with vision kudos LAWMA

This was Mile 2 before the clean-up exercise by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA.

And just 3 weeks into the clean-up exercise, Mile 2 is wearing a new look.
For more photos see link below
https://westernpostnigeria.com/photos-of-mile-2-before-and-after-clean-up-exercise-carried-out-by-lawma/

It was joy, dancing and excitement as Seyi Tinubu, a Nigerian Media Practitioner, Founder of Noella Foundation and the CEO & Cofounder Loatsad Promomedia, handed out palliatives to sweepers with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA.

Seyi Tinubu, who is the son of the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in recognition of the efforts of these sweepers who have defiled the odds and in the face of the growing pandemic continued their duties of keeping the state clean, decided to compensate and encourage them.

LAWMA, an essential service provider and all its workers, sweepers, waste collectors, e.t.c., were mandated to continue their daily duties of keeping the state clean

While the state compulsorily remains on lock-down, sweepers are daily on the road carrying out their duties, an act that has caught the attention of many.

For the sweepers, it was pure joy, not just because of the package received from Tinubu, but also because people really recognize and appreciate their contributions towards the safety of the state.

They were full of appreciations to Tinubu for his kindheartedness and also to the management of LAWMA for all the support and care they have received so far.

In his reaction, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the gesture of Seyi Tinubu is commendable and well appreciated.

He said LAWMA will continue to maintain the standard and ensure that all its workers are well equipped to perform their duties.

Dr. Gbadegesin urged residents of the state to continue to support the agency in whatever capacity they are able to, as this will go a long way to boost service delivery of the agency.

Here is a cross section of photos;

Photo credits-Victor Adewale

Western Post reported a few days ago that the managing Director LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin on behalf of the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, rewarded the hard work of Raheemat Fasisi, a high way sweeper with LAWMA, for her dedicated service.

Dr. Gbadegesin urged the sweepers to remain dedicated and committed to their job.

He said LAWMA will continue to do more by providing them with all the necessary support.

See the link below for more photos

https://westernpostnigeria.com/covid-19-response-seyi-tinubu-put-smiles-on-faces-of-lawmas-sweepers-distributes-palliativesphotos/

Ademola Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, sees the present Nigeria federation as unwieldy and too expensive to operate and therefore proposes a fundamental restructuring to reduce the size and cost of governance towards efficiency and development……..

The Country is severely stressed because the structures to make it function are faulty. There is too much government. Government is a national bakery where those who work in it must share the bread they refuse to help bake. In government, there are massive collusive programmes of deliberate theft of public funds, are not there?

The people themselves are severely stressed. The more welfare they expect, the less they get. The more they are told about peace and security, the more they are harassed both by the private armies of the powerful few: and hoodlums who are the products of inequities, deprivation, and urban denials. Our law-enforcement agencies are few, ill-equipped and inadequately motivated.

The society itself has not been trained to ask questions from those who make it by the simple procedure of joining the political class: Understandably, because government is a stronger to the people, and is a place where taking what is not yours is an achievement to be celebrated, and for which national honours can be conferred.

The provisions on corruption were prohibitive enough to discourage infringing them before the present anti-corruption and related crimes law was passed. But everyone laughs at the latest political scenes and provisions, as they did the ones preceding them.

UNSTRESSING THE NATION

We are a federation, and we must operate as a federation. The 36 states are too weak to constitute the federating units. We need another buffer between the states and the federal, and that is the present zones that have naturally emerged. They are six, and should constitute the federating units.

The powers at the centre are too many. The power of the National Assembly as the de facto, law-maker for everything both on the legislative and concurrent lists is not healthy for the federation.

Government is too involved in businesses, and this promotes corruption. Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution even entrenches the preponderant place of government in running the economy of the nation. There is no doubt that when government is decongested, the economy will automatically be deregulated. Political deregulation must precede economic deregulation.

The people must be brought together as a nation, and this can better be done through integrative programmes. We should use what we have to get what we want. The sky is in political deregulation through restructuring, and the acceptance of informal and cost effective governance through active use of the traditional institutions.

The Present Arrangement

There is one central government that is headed by an elected President who has a constitutional responsibility of appointing at least a Minister from each state of the federation. At present, there are about 52 Ministers. There is also a large army of presidential advisers and assistants who themselves have personal assistants. There are hundreds of parastatals which have hundreds of party men who are board members and constitute a heavy charge on the mean resources of the parastatals.

There is an elected National Assembly made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the National Assembly have a large army of personal staff paid for by the government. They also are entitled to funds for opening and running constituency offices.

The National Assembly has power to make law in 93 areas (Exclusive List and Concurrent List), and this means that the President has 93 areas of preponderant law-execution. There is no federal arrangement anywhere in the world that is this top heavy to the detriment of the federating units.

There are 36 state governments headed by governors who are independent of the centre and cannot be effectively checked by State Houses of Assembly. Experience since 1999 has shown that they can be laws unto themselves if they so decide.

There are 774 local government councils with executive Chairmen who are also laws unto themselves. They appoint non-elected councilors to their “cabinets”. This means that the emoluments of an elected councilor who has the equivalent of a school certificate are higher than these of a professor in the University or a Judge of the high court of a State. Yet, both entitlements come from the federation account.

Expensive Politicking!

Looking back to May 29, 1999 when we started this walk on the Democracy Highway, it is obvious that the cost of sustaining the different political arms of each of the tiers is becoming unbearable. Our expenditure profile shows that we spend about 95 percent of our resources on recurrent expenditure. This means that we have very little left for funding development.

There is no doubt, therefore, that the present arrangement is not healthy for us. The way out of this problem is restructuring the political arrangement to make it more manageable and less demanding on our resources.

We should retain a three-tier arrangement- The Central government, the Regional government and the State government. The present local government structure should be an affair of the regional government, and be funded by it.

The central government will continue to be headed by an elected president so that we may all continue to have a sense of ownership of the head of the Nigerian state.

The law making body should be the present senate of 109 members. There should be a nominated Upper House of Elders, one from each state of the federation and Abuja. The number will thus be 37. This would be like the arrangement in the First Republic.

The powers of the centre should be reduced and only those powers that would mould the federating units should be retained exclusively by the centre, like defence, external affairs, citizenship and currency. Let us be advised by the experience of the United State of America over the years. There should be six regional governments on the lines that have emerged as Zones- North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South. These, and not the 36 States, should be the federating units.

The law-making bodies in the regions should be those elected from the present House of Representatives Constituencies, each regional government should be headed by a governor. He may be elected by the region or appointed by the party that forms the majority in the Regional House. Many of the powers moved from the centre will anchor in the regional and state government, there will be 36 State House of Assembly as at present. The reason they will be retained is that no state would like to lose its autonomy

The position of executive governor is unnecessary and untenable, and should restore the parliamentary system at the state level. The present office of governor should be re-designated premier as we had in the First Republic. He will contest elections to the House like any other member of the House, and can be appointed by his party if it wins the majority of seats in the House. All members of the state executive council would come from the House of Assembly. If what the governor does now can be better done in the House, the expense of electing him to straddle in the state treasury and do what he likes with it, as has happened to many state governments since May 29, 1999, can be saved and channeled to development of the State.

There are at present 774 local government councils with elected council Chairmen and Councilors who are “working” full time. This level of government is the greatest fraud that has been visited on our democratic outing since May 1999, and has been responsible for the lack of growth in the local government area. We should have elected councilors who will elect one of themselves as Chairman. Each councilor should earn a sitting allowance, with such sitting not being more than seven times in a quarter. It means that no councilor would be taking home more than N52, 000 per annum. The Chairman should earn N3, 000 per sitting.

The day-to-day running of the council should be the responsibility of the secretary who would be appointed by the Local Government Service Commission, and would have the status of a permanent secretary in the public service. The local level of government should be the affair of the regional government. It means that all the 774 local government councils would be inherited by the region into which they fall. The region can increase the number or reduce it as it deems fit. The changes can be effected constitutionally if we have the political will to do so. The most credible forum is the council of state provided for under Section 153 (1) (b) of the Constitution. It’s composition and powers can be found in part 1 to the Third schedule of the constitution. It is constituted by the following persons:

The President, Vice President; Chairman, Deputy Chairman; All former Presidents of the Federation and all former heads of the government of the federation; All former Chief Justices of Nigeria; The President of the Senate; The Speaker of the House of Representatives; All the governors of the states of the federation; and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The council has power to discuss any matter referred to it by the President. The President should table before the council of state the problem of sustaining the present structure which the military imposed. A restructuring that would slim down the system of government and lead to move accountability should be presented for discussion.

If the council agrees that we should make sacrifices for growth, the proposals would be worked on by the Attorney-General and his colleagues in the federation, and a draft bill prepared for the National Assembly to pass into law. It would then be sent to the state assemblies for endorsement through a resolution of the Houses there. Section 9 of the constitution settles the procedure for doing this. If the political arm of government is restructured, we would have; a federal government with more time to plan for a powerful country, a central government that would be more efficient and less corrupt, a regional government that would be a buffer between the state and the centre, and that would be more handy to settle problems of the region and plan the development and growth of the region.

Another benefit is that there will be a state government that would be more efficient in the management of resources, and more accountable and less corrupt. Also the local government arrangement that would be more efficient because experienced people who have retired from service can be called upon to help out with local policy-making to be executed by civil servants. Furthermore, there will be policy that will see professionalism emerge without the distraction of politics which has become a lucrative business and more than half of the money spent on sustaining the present arrangement would be available for development.

This submission is for discussion. Someone has to start the talking because the real issues are being evaded or avoided. What America is today is the result of profound socio-political engineering that took blood, tears and sacrifices.

When Fasasi Raheemat Oluwabukola, a highway sweeper with the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, woke up on the morning of Tuesday 7th of March, 2020, to resume her daily duty of sweeping one of the high ways in Lagos, she definitely didn’t know the news of her diligence had gotten to the ears of the authorities and a handsome reward was on the way.

But this was the situation that occurred today, as the state governor and incident commander of the state, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, humbly represented by the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, paid a surprise visit to the work corridor of Raheemat to reward her dedication to work.

Applauding Raheemat’s staunchness, the LAWMA boss said her unwavering commitment and dedicated service have not gone unnoticed by the government and people of Lagos state

Dr. Gbadegesin, who disclosed that his first job as a young man was being a janitor, said there is dignity in labor and a reward for diligent hard work, because one could never tell who was watching at any point in time.

‘Raheemat, you are being recognised on behalf of Mr. Governor, who had also seen your video posted by Mrs. Awoniyi doing your work so passionately. There is reward for whatever we do, especially when you are diligent, doing your work from the heart. You never know who may be watching.’

‘Your video had gone far and Mr. Governor had seen it, as well as the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, and had all decided that you be recognised for conscientious work and uncommon diligence. I hope this will further motivate you and also inspire your colleagues, to work even harder because there is dignity in labour,’ Dr. Gbadegesin said.

Raheemat, who couldn’t contain her joy at the gesture and recognition by the government, thanked the Lagos state government. She said this will no doubt encourage her and other sweepers to do more, knowing that the government is very attentive to them.

‘I am happy for what the government have done for me today. May the Almighty God continue to bless LAWMA and Lagos state. you will not regret this good you have done for me and i will continue to appreciate you by doing my job very well,’ Raheemat said.

Raheemat said her dedication to her job sterns from the love she has for it. she said although most people see her job as a dirty job meant only for poor people, she will not be deterred but continue to carry out her duties diligently.

Recall that a few days ago, Raheemat was videoed along Dolphin/Osbourne Road, her operational corridor, by one Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, a resident of Dolphin Estate, a video that later went viral on the social media.

Ms. Awoniyi, claimed to have regularly observed her, during her daily work-out sessions and was blown away by her strength and sense of commitment.

She said Raheemat passion as she went about her duty every day, was the motivation behind the viral photo.

Dr. Gbadegesin, commended Ms. Awoniyi for her patriotism, and admonished other Lagosians not to despise anyone who is working diligently to meet his/her needs.

He said there was nothing shameful being a cleaner, and therefore urged residents to cultivate the habit of proper waste disposal instead of throwing waste onto the highway from their moving vehicles.

Nevertheless, he assured the sweepers of LAWMA’s commitment to ensure a friendly work environment for its over 15,000 sweepers including the provision of road-side shelters and other basic necessities.

‘We will continue to provide a good and clement work condition, for our more than 15,000 sweepers, who are in the first line of defence in our cleaning business’, Dr. Gbadegesin said.


https://westernpostnigeria.com/there-is-always-a-reward-for-diligence-hard-work-lawmas-md-says-as-a-high-way-sweeper-get-surprise-visit-reward/

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, Monday, took delivery of a waste truck, an AXIR 1823 Roll on Roll off Model.

The truck, donated by Mercedes Benz, a frontline automobile manufacturer, was handed over to the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.


Presenting the keys to the M D is the Head of sales, Mr.Umoh Ekanem,on his immediate left is the. General Manager,Legal,Mrs.Ebere Anenih and standing on the far right is the Director A&H R LAWMA,Mr Dosunmu

Presenting the truck, the Head of Sales, Mercedes Benz, Mr. Umoh Ekanem, said the organization is proud to be identified with LAWMA.

Lauding the efforts of LAWMA, Mr. Ekanem said since this administration took over, it had succeeded in ridding the state off dirts, affirming that the streets of Lagos are now cleaner.

He said that is why a prestigious brand like Mercedes is happy to partner and assist LAWMA, an agency with notable achievements.

He said Mercedes would contribute more in order to assist the Authority in the enormous job of waste management.

Receiving the truck, the LAWMA boss commended Mercedes Benz for the gesture. He said with collaborations like this, evacuation and management of waste would be easy.

‘I commend your kind gesture which will no doubt enhance evacuation of waste and its management, boost operational capacity and impact positively on disposal, especially at this period of the fight against Coronavirus.,

‘I enjoin other private sector organisations and conglomerates to emulate this outstanding feat of Mercedes Benz, to contribute not only to waste management, but other laudable programmes and projects embarked upon by the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,’ Dr. Gbadegesin said.


In the last one month, the management of LAWMA and Lagos state government have intensified its efforts to stop the spread of the deadly infection.

LAWMA, an essential service provider have continually pushed the frontiers, while the state remained on a lockdown, PSP operators are continually combing the streets, evacuating and disposing waste materials.

The LAWMA Boss had in the past few weeks embarked on advocacy in both the print and broadcast media, enlightening the people on the essence of good personal hygiene, proper waste handling, disposal and also the need to sort all waste materials from the point of generation.

However, if the streets in Lagos would remain free from waste, all hands must be on deck. The state has continuously engaged stakeholders and called for public private partnerships to strengthen its campaign.

Faced with a deadly COVID-19 Pandemic, the issue of waste management and personal hygiene cannot be over emphasized.

However, government and agencies like LAWMA will need more supports like this, there is the need for more partnerships to strengthen governments’ efforts and with this Mercedes Truck, a modern machine designed to lift a 12m3 bin with an actual design capacity of 18 Tons and also designed to key waste bins on the accessory, LAWMA is on the right track of sustaining the cleanness of the Lagos metropolis.
https://westernpostnigeria.com/mercedes-benz-joins-forces-with-lawma-donates-waste-disposal-trucks-promises-to-do-more/to

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, in partnership with Enyo Retail & Supply Limited, a downstream oil and gas firm has begun the distribution of blue bins to all Enyo service stations across the state, where residents can drop their recyclable waste.

According to LAWMA, the collaboration is aimed to further strengthen its Greater Lagos Initiative called the ‘Blue Box Program’ a single stream recyclable collection program that will encourage the separation of recyclable materials from the general waste at the point of generation.

The Executive Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu launched the Blue Box Initiative on the 5th of September, 2019, and determined to deliver in line with his T.H.E.M.E.S pillars of governance agenda, expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate and partner with the private sector stakeholders.


Blue Bins well stationed at one of Enyo’s Service Stations

So, when the management of Enyo Retail & Supply Limited approached the state government and expressed their interest to partner with them on its Blue Box Recycling Initiative, a partnership aimed at promoting waste sorting from generation, it was welcomed.

Speaking with Western Post Correspondent, Mrs. Jirinsola Ladipo-Okubanjo, Head of Recycling, LAWMA, who also supervises the distribution of the blue bins, said with this partnership, the Blue Box program will gain a wider coverage.

‘I am really excited at this collaboration with the management of Enyo Retail & Supply Limited, it will definitely go a long way for us. When they approached the government and expressed their interest in working with us, we knew this is a step in the right direction.’

‘And as part of their commitment, the Management of Enyo eagerly volunteered their retail outlets including all its thirty filling stations scattered across the state as drop off centres for the re-cycle collection box ‘blue box’.’

Ladipo-Okubanjo said such partnership will consolidate the effort of the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin in ensuring that all residents of the state key into the initiative.

‘With the directive of our MD, we commenced the distributions of the Blue Bins from March 31st and we will continue till we have finished distributions to all Enyo stations in Lagos.’

‘We have dropped off at the following stations; Sangotedo, ibeju lekki, olowo Eko, Lakowe and Owode Onirin Igando Liasu Rd, Ogunsheye, Ikola Ipaja. In addition to the waste bin, we are also distributing 2units of the 1,100L bins and purple bags in each station, the purple bags will be distributed to customers.’

‘Also we have 20 Recyclers assigned to different locations in the state and do not have enough coverage yet. In terms of recyclers the intention is to have over 100 recyclers with 2 in each LG/LCDA.’

‘Our partner, Enyo, have service stations located as far as Epe, badagry outskirts where people usually complain that they do not enjoy govt. interventions or programs so the partnership with Enyo will provide a platform to engage with such far reached areas,’ Ladipo-Okubanjo said

She expressed LAWMA’s readiness to give out incentives to residents to encourage them to make use of the recycle boxes by developing the attitude of waste sorting at point of generation.

Some of the incentives that will come with participation is an opportunity to buy fuel from points accumulated from sorting and dropping off the bags at the filing stations, she noted.

The Lagos State authority says it is working on expanding this distribution to eateries, malls and other public space where people readily have access to. It is believed that 50 percent of wastes generated in the state could be recycled to generate income for the populace, which is in line with Gov. Sanwo-Olu wealth to waste agenda for the state.



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The efforts of the Lagos State Government to stop further spread of the deadly coronavirus, as well as the elimination of pollutants and infectious disease-carrying organisms, from the state is gaining more momentum.

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, has commenced the fumigation of all sandfills and dumpsites, which dots the state.

The LAWMA team, led by Mr. Olumide Mumuni’s, first stop was Solous Landfills, one of the three major landfill sites located in the state.


Solous Landfills comprises of two dumpsites, Solous 2, a 7.8 hectares site and Solous 3, a 5 hectares site, both located along the Lasu –Iba road, Igando. Each site receives an average of about 2,250m3 of waste per day.

The fumigation exercise, which began in the early hours of Saturday, 4th April, lasted for several hours. The fumigators, fully clothed with personal protective equipment walked through the length and breadth of the sites fumigating every nooks and crannies of the place.


LAWMA Fumigating Solous Landfills located at Lago-Iba road, Igando.

Fumigation ongoing.
Speaking on the exercise, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said fumigating dumpsites became necessary following the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

He said while it has always been part of his agenda to fumigate all dumpsites and landfills in the state, there is no better time than now to commence the exercise.


LAWMA’s Fumigators at work.
Dr. Gbadegesin said all hands were on deck to ensure that all sand fills and dumpsites within the metropolis are fumigated within the shortest possible time.

“All the dumpsites are to be fumigated. The one we did today is called Solous 1and 2 in Igando. We will do the one in Ewu- Elepe in Ikorodu and of course the TLS in Agege and Simpson. We have started and will not stop until the job is done.

“The safety of citizens and all those who operate within and around these site are paramount and LAWMA is not resting until we defeat this pandemic completely and we will do all we can on our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 and any other disease that may want to arise,’”Dr. Gbadegesin said.


LAWMA Fumigating Solous Landfills
Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria and arguably, the fastest growing city in the world, is no doubt, faced with lots of challenges resulting from environmental pollution, coming from vehicles, waste dumpsites, generator emission as well as industrial pollution.

Just recently, the MD of LAWMA presented thousands of Personal Protective Equipment, Hand Wash Liquid, Hand Sanitizers, Protective Re-Usable Nose Masks, Protective Boots, Hand Gloves, and Protective Eye Glasses to PSP Operators to ensure their safety as they carry out their duties of waste collection and disposal.

The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, popularly called PSP Operators in Lagos State, have commended Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin led Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, effort in making sure PSP Operators across the state are well equipped and protected while carrying out their duties as the state battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The spokesperson of the PSP Operators, Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, a Waste and Environmental Management Expert/consultant, speaking to Western Post Correspondent said the recent gesture by LAWMA in presenting them with Personal Protective Equipment, PPE’s, Liquid Soaps, Protective Re-usable Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers, has shown the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu led administration to the welfare and safety of the people.

‘I thank governor Sanwo-Olu, I really commend the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin for the supplies, we are also expecting to get more supplies soon. These support would enable us perform at our optimal. They have been very supportive and we appreciate the partnership,’ Mr Adebola said.

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Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin Officially Handing over the safety kits and Hand Washing Liquids and Hand Sanitizers to PSP Operators Represented by their President, Mr. David Oriyomi

Nevertheless, he said the management of LAWMA should urgently look into the issue of providing special stimulus or palliatives to PSP Operators especially those that deal directly with residents.

Mr. Adebola said despite the lockdown, Operators are still on the streets and in every local government of the state collecting waste.

the Spokesperson noted that the issue of palliatives has become necessary as most PSP Operators are no longer able to bear the operational cost in carrying out their duties.

‘Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, many residents in the state stopped paying their waste disposal fee, and with the announcement of a total lockdown, we have not been able to collect any money. People are complaining of economy hardship as a result of the lockdown. Residents are unwilling to pay, saying they would rather buy food and other daily essentials than pay waste disposal fee.’

‘Currently tenements are not paying and if cost are not recovered, Operators will be incapacitated. It is not every PSP Operator that is receiving Bridging, a lot are not receiving it because they are recovering their cost in the areas they operate from,’ Mr. Adebola said.

The PSP Spokesperson echoed the fact that PSP Operators are part of essential services in the state, just as governor Sanwo-Olu has declared and as such must work during this lockdown.

Therefore all support both from the government and the people are needed and all measures must be put in place to ensure that collection of waste continues unhindered, he stressed.

‘Yesterday I was on a monitoring exercise, checking how our people are doing. Majority of the vehicles you see on the road are waste collection trucks moving around the state collecting waste. This is because the governor has declared that they are part of essential services that must work and of course it should be.’


PSP Operators collecting Waste at Aradagun area of Lagos state.

PSP Operators collecting Waste at Imeke area of Lagos state.
The proper handling and disposal of waste is very critical at this time the country and especially Lagos state is battling to put a stop to further spread of the coronavirus.

One of the ways any infectious disease can quickly spread from person to person is through the handling of waste material whether household waste or medical waste.

And as the lockdown continues and residents are made to stay at home, experts predicts an increase in the amount of household waste and medical waste that will be generated and as such all measures to effectively manage collection and disposal will need to be strengthened.


Waste collection on Adebiyi street, Somolu LGA on 1st April, 2020

Waste collection on Sanusi street, Somolu LGA
Mr. Adebola urged Lagosians to cultivate the habit sorting out their waste at collection level, separating solid from liquid and other waste that can be recycled.

He said proper waste separation at point of collect will not only ease the work of the operators but will go a long way to contain the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading further

President Mohammaed Buhari, sunday, addressed Nigerians on the issue of Coronavirus plaguing the nation.

in his address, President Buhari said for the most vulnarable in the country, a conditional cash transfer will be made to cushion the economic impact.

FULL SPEECH BELOW;

. Fellow Nigerians,

2. From the first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was turning into an epidemic and was officially declared a world-wide emergency, the Federal Government started planning preventive, containment and curative measures in the event the disease hits Nigeria.

3. The whole instruments of government are now mobilized to confront what has now become both a health emergency and an economic crisis.

4. Nigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its first case on 27th February 2020. Since then, we have seen the number of confirmed cases rise slowly.

5. By the morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases within Nigeria had risen to ninety-seven.

6. Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of PPMC, who died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this very difficult time. We also pray for quick recovery for those infected and undergoing treatment.

7. As of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to develop a vaccine.

8. We are in touch with these institutions as they work towards a solution that will be certified by international and local medical authorities within the shortest possible time.

9. For now, the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is through regular hygienic and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.

10. As individuals, we remain the greatest weapon to fight this pandemic. By washing our hands regularly with clean water and soap, disinfecting frequently used surfaces and areas, coughing into a tissue or elbow and strictly adhering to infection prevention control measures in health facilities, we can contain this virus.

11. Since the outbreak was reported in China, our Government has been monitoring the situation closely and studying the various responses adopted by other countries.

12. Indeed, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was one of ten global health leaders invited by the World Health Organisation to visit China and understudy their response approach. I am personally very proud of Dr Ihekweazu for doing this on behalf of all Nigerians.

13. Since his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies and programs in Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this virus on our country is minimized. We ask all Nigerians to support the work the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC are doing, led by the Presidential Task Force.

14. Although we have adopted strategies used globally, our implementation programs have been tailored to reflect our local realities.

15. In Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach.

16. First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners to ensure their families get through this very difficult time in dignity and with hope and peace of mind.

17. To date, we have introduced healthcare measures, border security, fiscal and monetary policies in our response. We shall continue to do so as the situation unfolds.

18. Some of these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many citizens. But these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready to make for the greater good of our country.

19. In Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, there is no such thing as an overreaction or an under reaction. It is all about the right reaction by the right agencies and trained experts.

20. Accordingly, as a Government, we will continue to rely on guidance of our medical professionals and experts at the Ministry of Health, NCDC and other relevant agencies through this difficult time.

21. I therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they are released from time to time.

22. As we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to urgently and drastically contain these cases, and to support other states and regions in the best way we can.

23. This is why we provided an initial intervention of fifteen billion Naira (N15b) to support the national response as we fight to contain and control the spread.

24. We also created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to develop a workable National Response Strategy that is being reviewed on a daily basis as the requirements change. This strategy takes international best practices but adopts them to suit our unique local circumstances.

25. Our goal is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower to respond immediately.

26. So far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of adhoc staff to man our call centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.

27. I also requested, through the Nigeria Governors Forum, for all State Governments to nominate Doctors and Nurses who will be trained by the NCDC and Lagos State Government on tactical and operational response to the virus in case it spreads to other states.

28. This training will also include medical representatives from our armed forces, paramilitary and security and intelligence agencies.

29. As a nation, our response must be guided, systematic and professional. There is a need for consistency across the nation. All inconsistencies in policy guidelines between Federal and State agencies will be eliminated.

30. As I mentioned earlier, as at this morning we had ninety-seven confirmed cases. Majority of these are in Lagos and Abuja. All the confirmed cases are getting the necessary medical care.

31. Our agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people these patients have been in contact with.

32. The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have travelled from these centres.

33. We are therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity movements are restricted to prevent further spread.

34. Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.

35. All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.

36. The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.

37. We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.

38. This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.

39. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food processing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum distribution and retail entities,
c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
d. private security companies are also exempted.

40. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.

41. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.

42. All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.

43. Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.

44. Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to redeploy all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that serve as entry and exit points to these restricted zones.

45. Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.

46. We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death, if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain.

47. However, we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty to control and contain the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask all of us affected by this order to put aside our personal comfort to safeguard ourselves and fellow human beings. This common enemy can only be controlled if we all come together and obey scientific and medical advice.

48. As we remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see this as our individual contribution in the war against COVID-19. Many other countries have taken far stricter measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus with positive results.

49. For residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around Lagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by some of these restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief materials to ease their pains in the coming weeks.

50. Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding program during this period without compromising our social distancing policies. The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next steps.

51. Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.

52. I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.

53. For on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.

54. For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.

55. We also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need.

56. As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all eventualities.

57. This is why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation centers and makeshift hospitals.

58. My fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will avail all necessary resources to support the response and recovery. We remain committed to do whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our country.

59. We are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private sector and individuals to the response as well as our development partners.

60. At this point, I will ask that all contributions and donations be coordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending. The Presidential Task Force remains the central coordinating body on the COVID-19 response.

61. I want to assure you all that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a role to play in the outbreak response are working hard to bring this virus under control.

62. Every nation in the world is challenged at this time. But we have seen countries where citizens have come together to reduce the spread of the virus.

63. I will therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the guidelines issued and also do your bit to support Government and the most vulnerable in your communities.

64. I will take this opportunity to thank all our public health workforce, health care workers, port health authorities and other essential staff on the frontlines of the response for their dedication and commitment. You are true heroes.

65. I thank you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect us all.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the country surge, it has becomes of vital importance that all necessary measures be put in place to stop the spread and ensure the safety of everyone.

This is why the Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, Sunday, distributed thousands of personal protective equipment, PPE, to its sweepers and PSP Operators across the state to protect them from infection in the course of their duties.

Items distributed included hand sanitizers, liquid soap, safety goggle, rubber work gloves, and re-useable nose masks, among others.

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency, LAWMA, Thursday kicked off its sensitization and awareness visit to state and private owned hospitals in the state.

LAWMA Team Led by the M.D Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Executive Director LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni

Dr Gbadegesin and His Team Inspecting Havana Hospital’s Facility to Ensure Strict Compliance to Proper Medical Waste Disposal.

This comes days after the agency announced its plans to sanction health facilities who violates government directives on proper waste disposals.
Please click on link to see pictures �

https://westernpostnigeria.com/covid-19-lawma-takes-sensitization-and-awareness-campaign-to-hospitals-donates-waste-bags/

University workers didn't receive any increment

Samakus:


How much does an entry level non academic staff (Level 7 step 3) in Unilag collect? Heard my friend in a foremost university in the East saying that they collect the least amongst federal universities in Nigeria ( he actually said that his school staff receive below #100k monthly)

How comparable is this with your school?

it's about 95,000

I'm a staff of unilag, non academic staff, after the suffering of going through rigorous IPPIS, I was still paid the old salary, don't know why some parastatal under the same federal government will receive new minimum wage, and University of Lagos staff are still paid base on the old minimum wage. Corruption everywhere