Health
LAWMA, Ewu-Elepe communities tackle waste crisis
By Anozie Egole
The Lagos Waste Management Authority has engaged the host communities of the Ewu-Elepe Landfill, including residents of the Elepe and Elenuwa Communities in Ikorodu, as part of efforts to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and address concerns arising from the facility’s operations.
LAWMA announced this in a recent statement, signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, which was obtained by The PUNCH.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who led the engagement at Ewu-Elepe on Sunday, said that the meeting followed concerns raised by the host communities regarding the operational impacts of the Ewu-Elepe Landfill.
Gbadegesin added that the engagement demonstrates LAWMA’s responsiveness to the concerns of its host communities.
“We have listened to your concerns and are committed to addressing them systematically. The access roads are slated for permanent construction, while palliative works will provide immediate relief. We will commence the rehabilitation of the Ewu-Elepe Landfill as soon as weather permits, to improve the operational condition of the facility, enhance waste disposal activities and ease truck movement, thereby reducing the time spent accessing the landfill and relieving the associated pressure on the roads,” he said.
The LAWMA boss stated that the Lagos State Government was exploring partnerships to promote more sustainable approaches to waste management through circular-economy interventions, such as waste-to-energy, waste-to-wealth and organic waste composting.
To strengthen collaboration and ensure effective follow-through, Gbadegesin directed the constitution of a joint Task Force and Technical Committee comprising representatives of the host communities, LAWMA, private sector participants operators, and other relevant stakeholders.
“The committees will support the monitoring of the proposed road construction and palliative works, address environmental and operational infractions associated with waste truck activities, and work with stakeholders to strengthen security and improve environmental conditions within the host communities,” Gbadegesin said.
He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustained engagement with host communities and other stakeholders, noting that constructive dialogue and collaborative action remained essential to achieving efficient waste management operations while promoting the wellbeing and environmental sustainability of communities around its facilities.
Earlier, representatives of the host communities, who commended LAWMA for providing a platform for constructive dialogue, presented their concerns about the condition of the landfill infrastructure and the access roads serving the facility and surrounding communities.
The meeting witnessed the participation of executives of the Community Development Associations, residents of the host communities, the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, representatives of PSP operators, recyclers and waste pickers, as well as LAWMA operatives, including the head of landfills.
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