By Ayo Oyoze Baje
To capture the full essence of the all-encompassing Governor Ambode-engineered Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) one has to take a critical look at the challenges faced by one of the fastest growing cities in the world, Lagos. The first is that of an ever exploding population, conservatively put at about 21million people. The other is the fact that Lagos generates the largest mass of waste on Planet Earth! The amount stands at 13,000 tons compared to that of New York of 10,000 tons on daily basis. That indeed, constitutes a cog in the wheel of the machinery already set in motion and being well oiled by this government for Lagos to assume the status of a smart, safe, sound and appealing,21st Century city.
Yet, with not a few residents caught in the web of sheer apathy, lukewarm approach to sanitation and ignorance of the health and economic benefits to their livelihood, driving home the message of a more comprehensive and holistic cleaner city has therefore, become imperative.
Add these factors to the deficient, previous waste management system which left out the fringe parts of the city such as Epe, Badagry, Badore, Ijegun, Ikotun-Egbe and the picture is complete. With the potential to generate some 27,500 jobs, including drivers and waste generators, spread all over the 3,950 wards in Lagos CLI is a most welcome development. What more, each waste manager goes home with N27,000 monthly salary as compared to N12,000 in the past. This is a dream initiative that must see the light of day. So glad too, that those still in the employment of the outgoing management would be retrained and retained. What a good-hearted governor Ambode is!
Yet, unknown to good Lagosians insinuations are rife that a few unpatriotic elements, greed-driven profiteers who have been milking the state through the institutional loopholes of the outmoded system are hell-bent on frustrating the genuine efforts of the current administration. Too bad, one would say!
Yet, it triggers the pertinent, burning questions: Are they aware, for instance, that Governor Ambode’s drive to provide a cleaner, safer and healthier environment falls in tandem with the wave of the Green World concept now sweeping across the globe? Do they realize, that “it is aimed at promoting a harmonised and holistic approach to the challenges; and as a result, improving operational efficiency”?
Do they, in their silent moments reflect on the fact that if the CLI does not kick off now, the deleterious effects would negatively affect the health status of future generations? And that, it will come back to haunt them too as they may not find Lagos, or any part of the country for that matter, a safe haven to enjoy their illicit gains? The timeliness of the Initiative is therefore, highly commendable.
For instance, for a first-time visitor to Lagos city the sight of the Olusosun Waste Deposit, which stinks is an unwelcome embrace. It was built during the administration of Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) and ought to have been relocated long before now. Governor Ambode has rightly identified it for shutting down, treating it with the most modern chemical mechanisms available and converting it to another edifying bus terminal, befitting of a smart city.
As in New York, Dubai, India and Singapore to mention but a few, Ambode’s CLI aims at distinguishing between household and industrial wastes for more effective treatment and management. For instance, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulates waste streams produced by residents, businesses, and other organizations. Reuse, recycling, and other ways to reduce waste go a long way toward saving money and are always preferred to direct disposal.
Also, individual consumers are prohibited from disposing any electronic waste by the municipal sanitation department. There, NetTech Electronics Recycling provides solution when it comes to recycling of electronic equipment and computers in a responsible and environmentally safe manner.
Similarly, in Dubai efforts in waste management include converting waste to energy, treating wastewater and controlling the movement of hazardous waste. There are new technologies for improved waste separation and collection systems.
As for India, waste management methods include material recycling, waste processing (Resource Recovery) and waste transformation. There is a clear distinction between municipal (residential, institutional, commercial), agricultural, and social (health care, household hazardous waste, sewage sludge). Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on health, the environment or aesthetics.
In tandem with such listed modern practices, CLI is geared towards addressing, enforcing and regulating the challenges in the solid waste management systems within the state. In specific terms it would focus on efficient waste collection process as well as efficient street, highway, drainage and waterway cleaning process.
Besides, a new environmental law with the aim to change the way waste is collected is in place. Enforcing new rules will be the function of the Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), with the evolution of the Kick Against Indiscipline (K.A.I.). What more, the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) has been empowered to regulate the sector. Also, the Lagos State Environmental Trust Fund (LSETF) has been created exclusively for environmental related expenditure and activities. There is also the state-of-the-art waste management fleet, with fully kitted operators and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
All these laudable features would facilitate the sustained drive of Lagos becoming the greenest city in Africa by 2025. They encompass the improvement of the quality of water by addressing treatment of wastewater and sewage. The environmental remediation projects will take good care of degradation, reducing the accumulation of solid waste, promoting best practices, including reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Also, there will be the drastic reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. A deliberate prevention of public littering and improper disposal of waste will no doubt reverse and reduce the impact of climate change. Ultimately, Lagos is working towards the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.
With Caleb University agreeing to partner with Lagos state government on environmental issues, all hands must be on deck for its sustenance. Proper and modern waste management disposal will guarantee the people’s health and wellbeing, create jobs and put food on the table.
Governor Ambode should therefore, not capitulate to the sheer blackmail of the self-righteous traducers and enemies of the people but focus fully on achieving the aims and objectives of CLI. They are salutary, noble and praise worthy. As the wise ones say, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’.
Baje, a media consultant and public affairs analyst writes from Lagos.
