The Lagos State Waste Management Authority has resumed waste collection operations in the Gbagada Phase II Estate.
PUNCH Metro had reported that residents on the estate accused the agency and a waste collection company, Kent and Kelly Nigeria Limited, of neglecting the waste in the community, which was putting their lives at risk.
Our correspondent, who visited the estate, observed an army of flies in the community as a result of the accumulated waste.
Following the report, our correspondent gathered that LAWMA and the waste company swung into action by bringing a big truck to collect the piles of waste.
A member of the Gbagada residents association, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the waste company had become active.
He said, “They started coming the second day after they saw the publication. Their boss came and apologised. They said they were having some issues at the dumpsite. Their boss promised to make sure they come every week. He gave us his contact to report to him directly if the truck did not come in a week.”
Another resident, who identified herself only as Mary, said the operations of the waste collection had improved since the report was published.
“We are really surprised. They are now coming again. We hope they continue to be like this so we don’t have to report them again,” she added.
A shop owner, Bolatito, told our correspondent that the waste company came consecutively with a big truck to clear the piles of waste.
A top official of Kent and Kelly Limited, who asked not to be named, said the recent rain and rising cost of diesel had affected their operations.
He said, “This problem is not peculiar to this estate. We are aware of the issue of diesel in this country. A truck that used to do two trips a day cannot do it any longer. Also, every part of the vehicle is now costly after the COVID-19 pandemic. And the whole thing unfortunately came up when we had heavy rainfall.”
The LAWMA Public Relations Officer, Folashade Kadri, also confirmed the development to our correspondent, but declined giving further comments.
