- Agency Report
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has advised Lagos residents to desist from engaging cart pushers to dispose wastes, but embrace using appropriate waste management procedures.
Dr Modupe Okoh, Director, Medical Services, Health and Safety, LAWMA, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Okoh, who encouraged residents to engage the Private Sector Participation – PSP LAWMA operators to dispose wastes, said that cart pushers often did not properly dispose waste materials.
She said that the cart pushers, often times, disposed the wastes in the drains, thereby blocking drainage channels and giving room for floods; which invariably contribute to spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.
According to her, proper waste management is key to preventing both surface and underground water supply pollution in order to prevent occurrence and reoccurrence of some diseases including cholera in the society.
“Every action that we do affects us and our neighbours in one way or the other.
“The residents should ensure they practise the proper waste management processes – ensure that you containerise the wastes from the point of generation and engage the right LAWMA registered PSP operators to move the wastes.
“This is because if you don’t do that, you may think it is cheaper to patronise the cart pushers, but they actually do not dispose the wastes properly.
“Some of them dispose the wastes in the drains, which block the drains, leading to flood.
“With flooding too, infectious diseases increase when there’s a lot of flooding because there’s a lot of pollution.”
She also urged people to engage in the right wash practices which include constantly washing one’s hands, personal hygiene and storing and disposing wastes properly.
“Once we can have prompt and effective waste management, we can actually prevent the surface and underground water from being polluted.
“But, if there is a breakdown in waste management, then, water surface can be polluted and can lead to spread of waterborne infections like cholera,”Okoh said.
Okoh noted that waterborne diseases including cholera can actually be prevented with proper personal and environmental hygiene.
She, therefore, urged the public to embibe good hygiene practices and ensure proper disposal of wastes to safeguard the environment.
Okoh also underscored the importance of the residents familiarising themselves with their PSPs, who played a vital role in waste management at different levels.
She explained that, by understanding and engaging with the designated PSP operators, residents could ensure efficient and effective waste disposal services in their communities. NAN