Lagos State Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab and the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu over the weekend convened a meeting with PSP waste operators, harping on improved service delivery and transparency.
Addressing the executive of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) during a meeting held at Alausa, he noted that their modes of operations must be digitized to make them more transparent and profitable.
He added that the association should put in place proper data collation and enumeration of all commercial and private facilities being serviced as this process would increase accountability and allow the operators to carry out their responsibilities seamlessly for the benefit of all.
Wahab averred that the State Government is aware that the PSP operators need some interventions but they must explain why the revenue being generated presently has dropped by 50% within five years.
“When you had a surplus, did you increase the stake of the government? As such I reject the appeal to reduce the 25% remit to LAWMA. I will not go that route except on two conditions: I want the enumeration of all the houses and digitize the number of household facilities across the State”, he said.
He said the continuous increase in population with the corresponding increase in the generation of waste has necessitated the need for a major change in PSP daily operations, adding that the present cost is not sustainable in light of growth to the economy.
He stressed that the time has come for PSP Operators to create an online portal where GPS receivers are installed in their trucks to provide accurate locations, including the numbers of trips undertaken by each operator daily among other things.
The Commissioner urged the PSP operators to be ready to confront the issue of waste, saying there was an urgent need to continually clear waste across the metropolis, while a holistic solution was being worked out.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu noted that the government understands that the State is faced with a solid waste management challenge as a result of urbanization and population growth resulting in large tons of waste being generated daily.
He said residents will expect an uplift in the city’s waste management system with the resumption of door-to-door residential waste collection by the PSP operators, especially during the yuletide and after.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Olalekan Shodeide stated that it is important for PSP operators to employ technology and innovation to make things work better for all, stressing that PSP operators should embrace digitization as this will help with better service delivery.
“This move is to reassure you that the government is set on a new beginning to consolidate what has been achieved. Everybody must work together for a flood-free and sustainable environment”, he said.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen urged the PSP operators to redesign templates for the provision of their services so that their proficiency and efficiency can be measured.
He asked the association to put all their compactor trucks in good condition, saying if residents get better services from them they would pay without being forced.
According to the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, there is a need to have a verifiable database to ascertain the size of the PSP businesses.
He appealed to the PSP operators to provide accurate data for all households so that the government would know those paying and those who are not.
In response, the President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), Mr. Olugbenga Adebola expressed appreciation to the State Government for re-awakening the consciousness of residents to be more environmentally conscious.
He said AWAN members are committed and set to continually work with the State Government having invested billions of naira in the project which has contributed a sizeable percentage to the economy of Lagos State.
He stated that the PSP Operators are operating under a very tough business environment which is making it difficult for them to break even.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to reconvene soon and bring all to the table to agree on the best way forward.
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