Gabriel Enenche —
The Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, yesterday said that the agency has commenced fumigation exercise at various dumpsites in the state, starting with the Solous landfill at Igando, to make the sites safer for waste management operations, and reduce health risks to the communities where they are located.
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Odumboni, also said that dumpsites played critical roles in the waste management chain, paving way for the attainment of the authority’s vision of establishing a consistent cleaner environment.
“Dumpsites are crucial component for the delivery of Solid Waste Management (SWM), as they serve as final destination for all solid waste collected from residences, businesses and public spaces, he said.
“They also support the protection of sanitation and public health“
Odumboni further added that the fumigation exercise, which began last Sunday at Solous dumpsite in Igando, will be extended to other dumpsites across the metropolis, to protect immediate and surrounding communities where the sites were situated.
“The goal of this exercise is to protect the public, and minimize the negative impacts of this sites to the neighbouring communities. Already, several mitigation measures have been put in place by LAWMA.
“These include, leachate and stormwater infrastructure, periodic capping of non-active sections, traffic management, monthly fumigation of the dumpsites and immediate environs,” he said.
He pointed out that, due to their intended use, the initial locations of dumpsites in the state were far removed from residential communities, before rapid population and urban expansion resulted to these dumpsites being surrounded by residential communities, commercial establishments and other sensitive land uses.
He expressed the authority’s unalloyed commitment towards protecting public health, and minimising the discomfort which might be caused by the dumpsites to neighbouring communities, adding that the agency planned to close the dumpsites in the near future.
He appealed to residents to shun all practices capable of having a negative on the environment, such as indiscriminate disposal of waste and refuse burning, which was hazardous to public health.
