The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has called on private organizations and residents across Lagos State to actively participate in environmental cleanliness by adopting streets and communities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
During recent appearances on Lagos Television’s “The Conversation” and Channels TV’s “Sunrise” programs, Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized the vital role of community involvement in maintaining a clean and healthy environment. He urged businesses and individuals to take responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of their immediate surroundings.
“Adopting a street or community is an excellent way for organizations to contribute meaningfully to the city’s cleanliness efforts. It goes beyond just placing bins; it’s about taking responsibility for the cleanliness and maintenance of entire neighborhoods. This initiative will also serve as a strong CSR strategy, benefiting both the environment and the organizations involved,” Dr. Gbadegesin explained.
He further linked the recent cholera outbreak in some parts of the state to poor environmental practices such as open defecation and illegal waste disposal. He stressed that these issues could be mitigated through sustained community sanitation efforts. “Sanitation should be a daily habit, ingrained in our culture, and this is what we should be teaching our children,” he added.
Dr. Gbadegesin also highlighted the ongoing community clean-up campaign being spearheaded by LAWMA in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. He revealed that the monthly sanitation exercise is set to return, with efforts focused on engaging local stakeholders and addressing residents’ challenges across various communities.
The LAWMA boss also provided updates on the “Adopt a Bin” program, which encourages households to properly containerize their waste. He introduced the new LAWMA smart bins, which are equipped with RFID tags and geolocation capabilities to ensure efficient waste collection services. “We aim for every home to have its own bin, making it easier for residents to properly contain their waste. To make this accessible, we have introduced a 24-month installment plan,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Gbadegesin spoke on the state government’s collaboration with the private sector to enhance waste disposal facilities. This includes a memorandum of understanding with the Jospong Group to build material recovery facilities and modern landfills in Lagos. He also mentioned LAWMA’s partnership with local government authorities to establish community recycling centers, where residents can dispose of recyclables and receive incentives.
On the LAWMA Academy, Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted the agency’s efforts to educate the next generation on the value of recycling and environmental cleanliness. He mentioned that a summer school program is currently underway and that online classes with certification will soon be available on the LAWMA Academy website.
He concluded by reaffirming LAWMA’s commitment to improving the welfare of street sweepers, noting that the agency is implementing health insurance and skill development programs for its sweepers to ensure their well-being and professional growth.