Lagos – Some Lagos residents on Tuesday complained at the poor services being rendered by waste managers within the Lagos metropolis, particularly the non-evacuation of wastes.
As a result, some have latched on the opportunity to call for reinstatement of cart pushers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the chronically affected areas with accumulated refuse heaps include: Orile-Bus Stop axis on the Badagry Expressway, Akerele, Iyana Ipaja, Festac Town et cetera.
At the Orile Bus-stop for instance, traders at the road side market usually plied their trade, alongside `mountainous’ refuse heaps that stinks uncontrollably to the discomfort of passersby.
The unsavoury development has made some residents of the city to clamour for the return of the ever-present cart pusher service, who according to them are prompt in the evacuation and disposal of wastes.
NAN reports that the government through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2010 banned the use of cart pushers for waste collection in the state.
It was against the backdrop of the `mountainous’ refuse heaps that some of the affected residents spoke to NAN in separate interviews to voice their disenchantment at the unwholesome development.
Sule Taofeek, a resident of Fola Agoro in Shomolu Local Government Area, said waste managers were no longer effective in the evacuation of wastes.
“None of the waste managers has been sighted in our neighbourhood in recent times. And we also noticed that if a resident is not sighted by a house, the refuse is not picked by the waste managers.
“This practice has been going on for quite a while and maybe we will have to opt out for the cart pushers,’’ he said.
Taofeek added that they were up to date in their payment for services rendered by the waste managers. We do not owe any bill and we have tried using the toll free lines to complain, but to no avail.
“Let the LAWMA official please wake up to their responsibilities, the services have really fallen below expectation”.
Mr Silas Okan , a lawyer who resides in Ajegunle in the Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA also complained of irregular services by the waste managers in the area.
Okan disclosed that the waste collector usually stayed away for more than three days, before coming to evacuate accumulated refuse.
“Since the last dispensation, evacuation of refuse has become a night mare in this highly populated area, especially at Ajegunle; we are yet to experience the change in ‘AJ city.
“We don’t have access to anyone to complain to, the local government cannot help or assistance on any issue.We urge the state government to improve on collection of waste and ensure that those in charge are doing their jobs”.
In Mushin, Basira Owoeye a tomato trader told NAN that she was more comfortable with the services rendered by cart pushers. “I cannot keep wastes that have gathered for some days around me.
“I prefer using “kole kole” they are always around when you need them and I cannot wait for waste because their services have really dropped’’.
Meanwhile, a supervisor of one of the waste managers who pleaded anonymity said the major challenge being faced by waste managers was nonpayment for services rendered.
He told NAN that some managers were left with no option than to avoid areas where the residents fail to settle their bills.
“The residents are the major problem, they refuse to pay their bills and they expect us to carry their refuse free of charge.
“Most of our other colleagues in the business get loans to run their business and to pay staff, if people refuse to pay, how do we maintain our trucks and pay our staff”.
The source further said that at the highbrow areas, they also refuse to pay for services but we continue to appeal, that such services could be for free.
The supervisor called on residents to have an understanding, by paying their bills to enable the waste managers maintain their trucks and improve on their services to them. (NAN)
