Press Releases

Lagos State Government on Wednesday appealed for understanding of residents of the state as it ramps efforts to free up clogged drains and mop up floods that have taken over many streets and roads across the state, urging them not to panic or resort to panicky measures.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for The Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, the State explained assured the residents that succor will soon come as the state is deploying more flood abatement gangs to major trouble spots to free manholes and some clogged up drains to compliment the major contractors handling the cleaning up of major drains.

He listed some areas that have experienced the palliative measures of the abatement gangs to include Fred Anyiam and Femi Ayantuga Street In Surulere Local Government, Car Wash area in Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area, Magregor Canal in Obalende LCDA, Ago Palace Way In Oshodi Isolo LCDA, Festac Extension In Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Ipodo In Ikeja Local Government Area.

He explained that engineers and top officials of the Ministry have also gone round the state in the last three months to ascertain the true state of all primary, secondary and tertiary drains and compiled a report which is part of what will serve as guide to future steps

He said in addition and to make the data so gathered more inclusive, the  Ministry also released a phone number to the public to send in picture about the state of the environment in their neighbourhoods and that the response has been very overwhelming.

He appealed to the people to desist from dumping refuse into the drains, adding that de-silting of the drains have been compounded by the activities of residents who have turned many major drainage channels into refuse dumps including tertiary drains in the 

He also reiterated the warning issued to all property owners who have built on set backs of drainage channels or drainage alignments to remove all such structures as they constitute major impediments to free flow of water into the various drainage channels.

Bello emphasized that the Ministry in conjunction with other agencies will ensure that the residents of the state do not experience a repeat of the flooding of the roads, streets and homes brought about by the near total neglect of the maintenance of the drainage channels in the last three years anymore.

He said the poor state of the drainage system has also affected the road networks despite the continuous rehabilitation of the roads by the State Public Works Bureau, re-echoing the promise of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu that massive rehabilitation of the roads will commence immediately the rains subsided. 

Signed

Kunle Adeshina

Director (Public Affairs)

October 9, 2019

LASG Meets With PSP Operators, Restores Door-to-Door Evacuation

The Lagos State Government has met with PSP operators in Waste Management, saying they should go back to their various areas of operation and restore door-to-door evacuation of waste.

Addressing operators at the meeting, held at LAWMA Office, Ijora on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello stated that in making good its promise to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment, the government of Lagos State had constituted a committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, to thoroughly review the situation and design template for the restoration of the services of PSP operators.

“This move is to reassure you that we are set on a new beginning and it is to consolidate what we have achieved. Everybody must work together to restore the glory of Lagos”, he said.

He said that the government had appointed Mr. Ola Oresanya, former General Manager of LAWMA, as a consultant to work with the State to fashion out a format for the restoration of door-to-door waste collection.

He urged the PSP operators to be ready for work and set aside any misgivings, adding that he was in constant touch with the leadership of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) who had assured him of their cooperation.

Earlier, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti urged all stakeholders to recognise the urgent need to clear the backlog of waste in the metropolis, while a holistic solution was being worked out simultaneously.

“Being aware that PSP operators were in business to make profit and sustain employment, government therefore enjoins residents to pay for waste collection by the PSP operators”, he added.

Speaking on behalf of the PSP operators, the Chairman of AWAM, Mr. Oladipo Egbeyemi expressed his appreciation to the government for the development and urged for thorough situation review and provision of enabling environment for unhindered performance by his members.

Mukaila Sanusi

Assistant Director, Public Affairs

Ministry of the Environment

23^rd October, 2018

CLIMATE CHANGE: AMBODE CALLS FOR LIFESTYLE CHANGE TO ATTAIN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the people to change their lifestyle in favour of nature conservation for the attainment of sustainable environment in Lagos State, he stated this during the 2018 Annual Walk for Nature, held at the State House, Marina, Lagos on Saturday to advocate sustainable living and conservation of natural resources.

Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, stated that it was imperative to combat the impacts of pollution on our ecosystem, its biodiversity and human health by shifting to a more conscious approach to consumption and interaction with the environment.

“The theme of this year’s annual walk for nature, ‘beat pollution, live a sustainable lifestyle’ is very appropriate in view of the ever increasing pollution levels in our society due to human activities”, he said.

He urged the people to optimise the use of natural resources and exert minimal impact on the environment, adding that both government and the citizenry must work together to enforce policies that would prevent people from embarking on activities that could have negative impact on the environment.

He said that the concerted efforts of his Administration at greening, landscaping and provision of scenic gardens and conservation parks were geared towards achieving sustainable development for the benefit of over 23million citizens of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Governor noted that the impact of pollution on the ecosystem could not be overemphasised as it affected the planet through the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.

He emphasised that the annual Walk for Nature was a wakeup call to all Lagosians to rise in defense of the environment and collaborate to address the unconscionable pollution of the environment by focusing on attitude that despoil the land.

His words: “Nature has blessed us with the resources that we need to survive; it is up to us to optimise their usage and conserve for posterity, so that we do not compromise the benefits of future generations”

The governor urged Lagosians to refrain from activities that could cause pollution and degradation of the environment and enjoined all to advocate the culture of re-use, recycle and clean production.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, remarked that it was of immense benefit for all stakeholders to raise awareness on nature conservation, sustainable living and most importantly, the preservation of the rich biodiversity of Lagos State through the Walk for Nature, which was an important campaign to propel the people towards positive behaviour to the environment.

The walk for nature is held annually by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to advocate sustainable environment.

Mukaila Sanusi

Assistant Director, Public Affairs

Ministry of the Environment

20th October, 2018

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti has said that the Sanitary Landfill currently being built in Epe is in steady progress.

The Commissioner said this during a media tour of the Landfill site in Epe on Thursday.

He said that the landfill, being a critical aspect of the waste management value chain, was accorded the deserved priority by the Lagos State Government as it had concessioned the 880,000 square meter landfill to Visionscape Sanitation Solutions to deliver the construction of weighing areas and road ways, “leachate” collection ponds and sediment pond as well as material recovery facilities among others.

He said the new facility would ensure the protection of public health and the local environment as well as the global environment, while providing an efficient and effective final disposal option for waste generated in the State.

He said that the landfill was a component of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) which is a holistic waste management programme aimed at revitalizing the entire Solid Waste Management sector to have far-reaching benefits and multiplier effects for the State.

The Commissioner stressed that the Lagos State Government was committed to providing a sustainable and functional environment that would ensure development and prosperity.

Jide Atansuyi
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of the Environment
March 1, 2018

The Lagos State Government has forged ahead with its plan to reassign the erstwhile PSP operators, now known as Waste Collection Operators from domestic waste collection to commercial waste collection as the operators are billed to officially commence evacuation of commercial waste on Thursday, 1st March, 2018.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti disclosed this in his Office in Alausa on Tuesday, 27th February, 2018..

Durosinmi-Etti stated that the move was meant to ensure that challenges being experienced in Waste Management across the State at present were reduced drastically in the shortest possible time, adding that the Lagos State Government was committed to the removal of all problems militating against efficient waste management in the State.

He said that over 300 Waste Collection Operators had been licensed to evacuate waste from commercial premises sequel to the publication on 17th February 2017 of the Expression Of Interest (EOI) on the recertification of commercial waste operation in Lagos State.

He said that the over 300 Waste Collection Operators, having met all the requirements were recertified and subsequently licensed, stressing that others recertified but not licensed had till 7th March, 2018 to complete the requirements and obtain operating licenses which are a sine –qua- non for commercial waste operation in Lagos State.

The environment commissioner enjoined all stakeholders to ensure that their premises were serviced by licensed operators only.

Mukaila Sanusi
Assistant Director, Public Affairs
Ministry of the Environment
27th February, 2018

In a move to bring relief to Lagosians on the current waste situation, the Visionscape Sanitation Solution and the Waste Collection Operators (WCOs), otherwise known as PSP Operators, have agreed to work together as partners to achieve a cleaner, healthier and safer Lagos.

This resolution was made at a meeting facilitated by the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti in his Office at Alausa on Thursday.

Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti said that government was interested in easing challenges being experienced in Waste Management at present by creating synergy between Visionscape Sanitation Solution and the WCOs in their spheres of operation, stressing that resolving the challenge in a mutually beneficial manner was the best approach.

“Government more than ever believes in this partnership and that is why it has not only provided a facility of up to N2.5b with State Government guarantee, which PSP Operators could access to upscale their operations, but has also opened another channel through the Employment Trust Fund for loan facilities at reasonable interest of not more than 12% per annum”, he said.

The Environment Commissioner stated that the Lagos State Government was determined to remove all bottlenecks hindering seamless waste disposal operations, adding that it was making the bold move of targeting a turn-around time of thirty minutes at the dumpsites by encouraging concerned stakeholders to create additional platform at the sites.

He emphasised that no efforts would be spared to return the dump sites to sanity by reducing the menace of indiscriminately parked trucks and scavengers, both of which add to the loss of time at the dump sites.

The Chief Executive Officer of Visionscape Sanitation Solution, John Irvine, applauded the new found understanding between his company and the Waste Collection Operators and stated that challenges being experienced in domestic waste management in Lagos State had to do with the fact that the domestic waste operator was just in its first cycle of operation, meaning that it must contend with some teething problems.

His words: “It is not unusual to face this kind of problems especially in the first cycle of operations. It takes some time to build the superstructures and to ameliorate the present hiccups; we are buying locally and taking steps to have waste container bins manufactured locally.

Speaking on behalf of the WCOs, Kasumu Afis Olasehinde reiterated their commitment to the success of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative and pledged to roll out more trucks to rid Lagos of Wastes’ black spots.

“To show our total commitment to a cleaner, healthier and safer Lagos, we have not only resolved to work with the Government of Lagos State and the domestic waste operators as partners, we have also resolved to commence free Operations every Thursdays to mop up black spots in our respective areas” he emphasised.

Mukaila Sanusi
Assistant Director, Public Affairs
22nd February, 2018.

The Lagos State Government has warned residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, saying that perpetrators riskfacing the full wrath of the law, including engaging communal service as a form of deterrence.

This warning was issued by the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi –Etti during a press briefing held at the BagaudaKaltho Press Center in Alausa on Tuesday to parade four cart pushers caught dumping illegally in Agege.

Durosinmi Etti said that Abubarka Lawal, Bashir Umar, Yusuf Saheed and Muhammodu Amisu Abdulahi were apprehended at the Moshashi Alhaja Area of Agege with the collaboration of market leaders who worked with the Enforcement Department of the Ministry to ensure the culprit were caught.

“Worriedby the incessant resurfacing of refuse at black spots in their market, the market leadersdecided to maintain vigilance which led to the apprehensionof four people after midnight on Tuesday” he said.

The Commissioner reassured that the new solid waste management system was well thought out and positioned to offer an enduring solution to the waste management challenge thrown up by population increase and facility deficit that the State has had to encounter overtime.

“I wish to reiterate that every transition period has its challenge. What we are witnessing presently is temporary and would soon disappear when the domestic waste operators commence full operations” he said.

Durosinmi-Etti emphasised that the State Government had repeatedly warned against any abuse of its environmental laws and all acts capable of compounding the challenge experienced in transiting to the new waste management system.

He urged residents to always bag and dispose their waste appropriately by making use of waste bins placed in strategic locations all over the State.

He said the four people apprehended would be made to cart away refuse as a form of communal service to deter others.

Durosinmi-Etti thereafter commended market leaders in Agege for their vigilance and called upon all Lagosians to emulate them by being vanguard of their environment, adding that it was in the interest of all to be their environment keeper.

Mukaila Sanusi
Assistant Director, Public Affairs
20th February, 2018

To upscale the skill of its personnel, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has trained its officers on work ethics to enhance attitudinal change and effective and optimum service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye who declared the training open, stated that the three-day in-house training programme was designed for clerical officers, drivers, office attendants and cleaners of the Ministry.

Bamgboye averred that the training programme was organized to “reposition these categories of staff for an effective and optimum service delivery as well as prepare them for future challenges in their various chosen careers.”

The permanent Secretary stated also that the training programme was another milestone in the efforts of the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to consolidate the base of his government and to ensure effective service delivery to the citizenry.

According to Bamgboye, the theme of the training course, “Work Ethics and Attitudinal Change for Effective Service Delivery” was carefully chosen to reflect on the ethos and norms of the Public Service which are at the lowest ebb as a result of the decadence in the society.

“There is frequent report of indiscipline, disloyalty, corruption and other social vices emanating from Public Officers in the service. Today most public servants lack the right skills, attitude and knowledge for delivering effective social services to the populace,” he said.

He emphasised the need for continued training and development of human resource for optimal performance and acquisition of required skills, attitude and competencies,

“The new Human Resource Management practice lays much emphasis on human capital development, learning and development and motivation of employees to enable them acquire the needed skills, attitude and competencies to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.”

“It is in this regard that we have painstakingly sourced for a Resource person as the facilitator for this programme, the Senadotan Resources Limited, who has a good knowledge of government operations to do justice to core topics like: Ethics and Norms of the Service and Communication in the Service,” he stated.

Bamgboye enjoined participants to use the opportunity provided by the training to develop their skills, attitude and knowledge to enhance their performance in their chosen career.

Jide Atansuyi
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of the Environment
6th February, 2018.

The Lagos State Government has called for the conservation of wetlands resources in the State, saying that wetlands as critical parts of natural environment help in reducing the impacts of floods, absorbing pollutant and improving water quality.

Making this call was the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti during his interaction with pressmen in Alausa at the weekend in recognition of the 2018 World Wetlands Day.
Durosinmi-Etti said that Lagos State as a littoral State has associated with the rest of the world in marking the 2018 World Wetlands day with the theme: “Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future.”

He stated that the State seized the opportunity of World Wetlands day to sensitise Lagosians on the importance of wetlands and urged for more community participation in wetlands management in the State.
He maintained that Wetlands were vital for human survival as they were one of the world’s most productive environments, serving as cradles of biological diversity that provide water and engender the sustenance and survival of countless species of plants and animals.

“Wetlands are critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action; reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. They also provide habitat for living organisms,” he stressed.

He stressed that wetlands are blessings to the communities where they existed because they serve as sources of water, food, medicine, handcrafts and shelter, adding that they provide abode for cultural, recreational and tourist activities.

He said that in spite of the vital roles of wetlands, these crucial resources are faced with many threats from human activities as they are the most threatened ecosystems globally.

“Over 95% of wetlands in the State had been lost to housing development, thereby underlining the need to protect the remaining wetlands,” he stated.

To stem this development, the Environment Commissioner stated that the State Government would step up its monitoring and advocacy programme and ensure stakeholders collaboration for the protection of our wetlands resources.

He urged Lagosians to desist from dumping refuse or using wastes to reclaim wetlands, adding that wetlands must be preserved as buffers zones which protect the built environment from flooding.

Jide Atansuyi
Chief Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of the Environment
2nd February,, 2018