EKO NEWS
Waste Management: Sanwo-Olu To Help Lagos PSPs Purchase New Evacuation Trucks
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The Lagos governor’s 2023 budget includes a provision to help private waste managers buy new evacuation trucks.
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The provision will provide low-interest loans to the private sector players.
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The Lagos government is also planning to empower recyclers in the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has concluded plans to help Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in the waste management sector purchase new evacuation trucks.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, made the disclosure on Thursday.
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Odumboni said the aid was included in the 2023 budget the governor presented before the Lagos State House of Assembly last year.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
According to the LAWMA boss, the aid will come in the shape of low-interest loans for the private waste managers.
He noted that the recapitalisation effort was aimed at improving waste management in Lagos State, making the environment cleaner and livable for residents, and coping with about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily.
Odumboni explained that the recapitalisation move will also help to address most of the challenges facing PSP operators, including the high cost of new waste evacuation trucks, which many of the PSP operators cannot afford to replace their aging fleet.
“The Lagos State Government’s plan is to provide the PSP operators with low-interest loans to purchase new trucks. The government will also provide technical assistance to the PSP operators to help them manage their fleet more efficiently,” he said.
“It will also stimulate economic growth by providing opportunities for small businesses to thrive. By providing the PSP operators with low-interest loans, we are giving them the opportunity to expand their businesses and create more jobs.”
The LAWMA MD also revealed that the Lagos government plans to empower recyclers to procure necessary tools for their projects.
Odumboni stated that the state government’s efforts are aimed towards reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
He also said the government is working with relevant agencies to arrest and prosecute waste defaulters.
“In addition to the recapitalisation, the Lagos State Government also plans to empower recyclers in the state. The government will provide recyclers with the relevant tools and equipment needed to carry out their work effectively. This will include providing them with necessary equipment that will help them to sort, process, and recycle waste,” Odumboni said.
“The aim of this initiative is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. By empowering recyclers, the government hopes to create a more sustainable waste management system in the state. We want to create a situation where waste is seen as a resource, not as a problem.
“The recycling that was launched by the present administration has come to stay as we now have over 100 recyclers, who are into the business of recycling. Also with the support of the governor, we engage community stakeholders of the 20 Local Government & 37 Local Council Development Area to discuss sustainable waste management with them.
“We are in collaboration with our sister agencies, like LNSC, KAI, LASTMA and others to track, arrest and prosecute waste defaulters.”
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Meanwhile, PSP operators and recyclers warmly welcomed the state government’s plans and expressed their gratitude to the current administration for recognising their role in waste management and providing them with the much needed support to do their job effectively.
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