Benjamin Omoike l Friday, August 24, 2018
LAGOS, Nigeria – As part of measures to tackle the huge challenge posed by waste management in Lagos State, Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard has unveiled a platform known as ‘Operation Keep Lagos Cleaner’, a voluntary group aimed at helping the state government to achieve its objective of ridding the state of filth.
Speaking at the flag off of the operation in Lagos, the state coordinator of the group Seyi Bamigbade, said the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to provide the state with a functional, robust and sustainable waste management system that would transform the state into the cleanest city in the world was not in doubt, saying what is needed is concerted efforts to achieve it. He noted that decision to adopt a Public Private Partnership approach to waste management in the state tacitly demonstrated the governor’s dream to positively affect the state as far as waste management is concerned.
Seyi said, ‘’The launch of the Operation Keep Lagos Cleaner is a voluntary support dream come true, and an evidence of what our group stand for and determined to do which you are witness here today in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos.’’ He advised the Local Councils Executive to put more efforts and support the new waste management initiative.
Also speaking Hon. Olawale Ebietomiye who convened the forum said, “You can see fantastically looking 10 trucks that would be used for waste management in the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency free of charge. This is just a small bit of what we intend to Support the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode policy on the new waste management in the state.
“We came together and pulled resources together to support this government in clearing the refuse in Lagos environment. We are not only subsidiary the government, but also sensitizing the people on the proper ways to dispose their refuse and PVC collecting before the closing of the exercise.
“We have provided the community with handbills, provided black nylons. We all know that a dirty environment gives room to cholera and other kinds of diseases. So we want a cleaner Lagos.”
The representative of Lagos Ministry of Environment, Mr. Paul Idowu, a director in Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), thanked the group for their support for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led -administration. He said “I am one of the gladdest persons in the world today because a lot of people thought that Public-Private Partnership on waste management would not be achieved.
He stated their satisfaction with the giant strides Visionscape is taking in ensure that the aim is achieved and admonish the group to keep up with the aim of Lagos State and Visionscape which is to make the state the cleanest city in the world.
‘’What you are doing is assisting government on the cleaner Lagos initiative. This show you are contributing to what government is having sleepless night about keeping Lagos clean,” Idowu said.
