• LAWMA warns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse 

There is fear of  imminent environmental challenges following residents’ conversion of canals in Surulere Street, Ojo-Road, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos to a refuse dump site.
 
The Guardian gathered that the practice thrives in the absence of PSP operators  or intervention of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in the area.
   
Apart from clogging the water passage with refuse  many  residents are also setting refuse on fire to reduce waste in the area.   Some of them lamented that both PSP operators LAWMA have abandoned the area and rarely show up to pick up refuse in the area.  
 
A resident, Fatimo Tijani, told The Guardian that it is now habitual for residents in the area to  either dump their waste in the canal or set them on fire without considering the implication of flooding and other environmental hazards to the community.
 
She said, “We mostly burn our own refuse instead of pouring it inside the canal. People who live far from the canal area do bring in their waste and pour it inside the canal because PSP operators and LAWMA refuse to come to their area for some years now. 

Another resident, Modupe Paul, said the residents pour their dirt in the canal because that is the only alternative to get rid of their  waste in the area.
Also, the  chairman, Surulere Community, Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Salami Adesola, confirmed that some residents still think that pouring of waste  in the canal is the right thing to do.  
 
He, however, said most members of his community seldom dispose of their refuse into the canal because they do burn it or use it to fill their surroundings because they live in a swampy area.  
 
Responding to this practice, the management of LAWMA, reiterated committed to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment across all parts of Lagos, including Surulere Street, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, and Apapa.
 
Acknowledging reports of indiscriminate waste disposal and refuse burning in some areas, the authority said it strongly condemned such practices.  According to LAWMA’s Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Folashade Kadiri, dumping waste in gutters and canals not only obstructs the free flow of water but also poses serious environmental and health risks, including flooding and air pollution.

 “LAWMA has designated PSP operators responsible for waste collection in all areas of Lagos. 
 “We have always encouraged residents to reach out to our customer care unit who in-turn will organise for backup service in situations of service gaps. 

“However, we will be investigating these claims of irregular waste evacuation in the mentioned locations. 
 
“If there are gaps in service delivery as mentioned, necessary corrective measures will be taken immediately.  

 “Investigation however shows that residents who do not have waste receptacles and do not want to pay for services rendered by PSP are the ones who would rather dispose of their waste in unauthorised places including gutters and drainages.”  

“Furthermore, we urge residents to desist from illegal waste disposal and open burning of refuse, as these actions contravene environmental laws. Instead, they are encouraged to make use of LAWMA-accredited waste collectors for proper waste disposal.
“We also encourage residents to report any waste management concerns via our toll-free customer service lines: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 or 617. 
 
“LAWMA remains dedicated to making Lagos cleaner and will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve this goal,” it added