Lagos considers smart bins to curb indiscriminate waste disposal

As the Lagos State Government moves to intensify efforts towards its monthly sanitation awareness programme, it has hinted plans to introduce smart waste bins for every tenement in the state.

A statement on Sunday by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, mentioned the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, gave the hint when he led other state officials during the ongoing Weekly Sanitation Awareness and cleaning exercise held at Ajeromi Local Government.

He added that indiscriminate waste disposal is a major contributor to prevalence of communicable diseases.

Akodu who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Gaji Omobolaji and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services Olakunle Adegbite said the issue of a cleaner environment is a serious issue that requires the collective effort of Government and the Citizens.

The statement said, “Akodu said the Smart Bin had become neccesary to monitor the activities of PSP operators as well as the refuse disposal rate of Lagosians, appealing to residents and market leaders in the area to make clean environment a priority as they go about their daily business activities.

“He reiterated that the team is embarking on the weekly exercise to encourage the citizenry to have a changed mindset and imbibe the culture of cleanliness towards the environment.

“He added that from the stretch of Marine beach and Mobil road towards Ajegunle boundary to Alayabiagba market, the roadside and road median were filled with heaps of wastes adding that the corpse of a baby was found on the roadside during the exercise, saying that now is the time for everyone to desist from the unwholesome act against the environment.”

He stated that reports gathered from the weekly Community Sanitation Exercise / Advocacy campaign has revealed that majority of the people are yearning for the return of the Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise across the state.

The Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegbesin explained that the State Government would soon role out Smart Bins with notifications for all houses, stressing that the chips attached to the bins would notify LAWMA when the PSP Operators fail to pick up wastes at the appropriate time.

He said a safe, clean and sustainable environment is the function of all residents and not the government alone adding that everyone must make good sanitation practices a way of life and support support the effort of the government.

“In their responses, a cross-section of the community leaders including the Baale, Babaloja of Ajeromi Ifelodun and CDC Chairman present all appealed to the State Government to reconsider the introduction of monthly sanitation exercise.

“They claimed that in the recent past most markets and areas had waste police which prevented littering, adding more people need to be enlisted to become LAWMA policemen in our neighbourhoods.

“The Special Adviser was also accompanied by the Managing Director LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin; General Manager LASPARK, Mrs. Toun Popoola; KAI Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd); General Manager, LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi and some Directors from the ministry.

“The team visited Mobil Road/ Apapa / Ajeromi / Ajegunle boundary and Alayabiagba market,” the statement concluded.