Residents decry resurgence of wastes in Lagos

Lagos unveils Citi Monitor App against infractions

There are concerns over resurgence of waste on major roads and medians in Lagos metropolis. With various initiatives by Lagos State Government, residents had thought the days of refuse heaps were gone.
 
These included the incorporation of the Private Sector Participation, PSP, operators to collect and dispose refuse on behalf of residents, introduction of highway managers by Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), to sweep highways and the ban of cart pushers, to ensure proper disposal of refuse in the state.
   
However, the city is fast descending to its old ways as it is not uncommon to see heaps of refuse dotting major highways, markets and open places, thereby making nonsense efforts at making Lagos a clean city.

In most cases, it is observed that refuse heaps were left uncleared for several days. There were also heaps of refuse on roads, especially places near markets in the areas visited last week. Worst hit are   Ikorodu, Mile 2, Airport roads, Agege, Pen  Cinema , Orile,  Mushin,  Mile 12 and  Ikotun.
 
A visit last week to Badore communities, Addo and Ajah roads expressway to the Jubilee Bridge,  also revealed  sorry sight of refuse heaps at strategic places.
 
There are also beggars, who are feed by good Samaritans, but drop the left overs  on roads and gutters around. A resident, Mutiu Abayomi, said: “We want government to turn their searchlight to the Alesh Hotel areas under the newly created pedestrian by Ilaje bus stop.”
    
A parent, Mr. Kewe Joshua, advised governments to employ idling youths to be engaged in meaningful livelihood and to reduce crime, violence and cultism.
 
Another resident, simply identified  as Madam Ifeanyi,  said residents and motorists sometimes  drop refuse on the roads.

MEANWHILE,  Lagos State  Government  at the weekend, unveiled  an online application known as “Citi Monitor” for monitoring and reporting all environmental infractions.

He added that there are complaints and reports of infractions on daily basis on flooding, damaged roads, dilapidated buildings, illegal petrol stations, security violations, unlawful human activities, vehicle traffic situations, abandoned vehicles and other environmentally related issues that are under-reported or not reported at all in the state.
 
Bello encouraged residents to avail themselves of the opportunity of downloading the App as it is clear that it would help them take ownership of the environment of the state as citizens are primary custodians.

He said residents could still make use of WhatsApp, text messages and other means to also report environmental infractions.
The software developer, Mr. Ayodeji Faniran, said “Citi Monitor” became necessary in line with emerging trends, especially in the utilisation of science and technology.
 
He explained that one of the unique features of the app is that it is configured to capture real-time images within the Lagos geographical locations only.
 
“You cannot upload pictures from your gallery, you cannot submit pictures from other parts of the country or the world, only pictures from Lagos State can be submitted, and once you click the picture anywhere in Lagos State, it’s going to have the time stamp, the location/address and then you can pick the local government and the markets. All local governments and markets in Lagos State have been configured,” Faniran said.
 
He added that plans were under way to introduce other languages, especially the Yoruba language to enable more residents of Lagos to use the App which is currently configured in English language.