Lagos waste operators owed N1b, urge improved hygiene practices

Disturbed that improper disposal of refuse can have significant effect on the health of communities, private sector waste operators known as Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWMA) have called for a new law, which will make it mandatory for residents to pay waste disposal charges.

The association in a press conference to mark the World Environment Day (WED) also pushed for sanctions for waste managers that fail to fulfill their obligations to the public. They called on all Lagosians and Nigerians to further improve their sanitation practices and make the environment more habitable.

The Chairman, AWMA Lagos Chapter, Mr. Olabode Coker disclosed that the private operators have invested over N6 billion in the acquisition of trucks and other assets through private funds and loans from financial institutions, but being hampered by inability of residents to pay their bills, which have amounted to about N1billion in debt.

He praised the efforts of the Lagos State in turning around what was seen as an impossible task and national embarrassment into a thriving industry. “It is an established truth that small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of growth in any economy. One of the key achievements of the reform programme is the number of small businesses that have been set up. There are over 350 private waste operators in the state. Supplementary businesses have also sprung up from the model, such as Waste truck assembly plants, Material Recovery plants and recycling plants,” Coker said.

According to him, out of the estimated to 16,000 metric tonnes of waste daily generated in Lagos, 85 per cent is evacuated by the PSP Operators. “Lagos state has rebranded itself from being one of the dirtiest cities in the world to one of the cleanest city in a developing nation. This success has largely been as a result of the great effort of the PSP Operators. As the population of the state increases so is the waste generated.”

He, however, pointed out that late payment remains arguably the biggest single problem facing the industry. “The PSP operators consequently has endured late payments from some commercial organisations and residents, unfortunately we operate in an industry that requires continuous cash flow for daily operations.

“This is even more pronounced in the current economic condition where we are experiencing a tremendous increase in our costs while revenue remains unchanged. All these have an adverse effect on the private waste operators’ cash flow and thereby crippling our ability to invest in much needed truck acquisition.”

Coker urged the State government to provide sustainable solution on the poor state of the dumpsite that often causes damage to the trucks thereby increasing the cost of operation and increases downtime period. “The long queues affects the turnaround time which impacts the ability of the waste operators to service their client as when due at times,” he added.