This was disclosed on the official X handle of the Lagos Waste Management Authority on Wednesday.
According to the post, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the dislodgement operation was primarily for the benefit of those residing near the landfill.
He added that the state government was committed to improving the state’s overall waste management system, ensuring it was in line with global best practices in terms of safety, environmental sustainability, and public health.
The post partly read, “It is our foremost responsibility to ensure the well-being of residents of Lagos. The activities of scavengers at the Olusosun Landfill have raised concerns for the health and safety of the scavengers themselves and the larger community. From time to time, we must take steps to protect the people and environment. Their activities could trigger an inferno on the site and this we need to prevent.”
Wahab further explained that the state government was committed to enhancing the overall waste management system in the state, ensuring it aligned with the global best practice of safety, environmental sustainability, and public health, adding that similar action would be replicated in other landfills in due course.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, stated that the authority would continue to work closely with communities, stakeholders, and experts to develop beneficial measures that will protect the environment and residents’ well-being.
He further stated that the shanties erected on the site would be demolished since scavengers would no longer be allowed to reside there.
“Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority would continue to work closely with communities, stakeholders, and experts, to implement salutary measures that safeguard the environment and well-being of residents.
“He noted that shanties erected on the site would be dismantled, as scavengers would no longer be allowed to live there, but would be duly profiled and allowed to operate only during official work hours of 8am and 5pm.”
