A civil society group, Centre for Democracy and Socio Economy Rights (CEDESER), said the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) had once again demonstrated Governor Ambode’s commitment to the progress of the State.
Speaking on the initiative, CEDESER’s Executive Director, Michael Popoola Ajayi, recalled that over the years, many parts of the Lagos metropolis have been suffering from filthiness as a result of inadequate waste management, which have made most of the areas an eyesore.
“Critically appraising the initiative, it is obvious that it is in the best interest of the people. It has both short and long term benefits and most importantly, the benefits cut across diverse areas of life. While it is ensuring immeasurable cleaner and healthier environment, the initiative would also open enormous opportunities for people in creation of wealth and massive provision of jobs and so, it is a thing to be encouraged.
“It is a fact that filth and dirt are almost taking over the streets in some areas of the State and this actually contradicts the status of the State as a megacity. The initial waste management arrangement had been conspicuously overwhelmed by the weight and volume of waste being generated in the State. Therefore, there is a need for more effective strategy in making the State cleaner and healthier.
“This has been demonstrated by Governor Ambode with the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, and it will go a long way in securing better environment for everyone, especially our children,” Ajayi said.
He, therefore, urged relevant agencies of government to immediately embark on stakeholders’ interactive session across the State to secure the people’s buy in of the initiative.
Meanwhile, Prince Yakub Aromasodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has lauded the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode over the new waste management policy.
Aromasodu, who is a former Youth Leader of the party in the State and Deputy Leader in the Southwest, in a statement on Monday, said the initiative was not only timely, but would go a long way in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment.
As part of the CLI, Governor Ambode had signed the new Environmental Management and Protection Law, to give the new policy the legal teeth to function efficiently. The state government also assembled a consortium of global leaders in waste management led by Visionscape to manage waste collection and disposal, using ultra-modern facilities while still empowering the PSPs to play key roles in the waste collection process.
The PDP chieftain, in reaction to the initiative, said the good intention of the policy was not in doubt, and urged the people to support government in its determination to properly manage environmental issues, which according to him, was in dire need of attention.
“Irrespective of party differences, I think the new environmental policy is a good one and if implemented as planned, it would bring about a cleaner and healthier environment. As a youth leader and former Coordinator of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Lagos State, I particularly note the fact that over 27,500 jobs would be created through the initiative aside other layers of jobs.
“When waste management is properly prosecuted in line with international best practices, all the people will benefit irrespective of creed, colour or background and I believe the initiative will be in our collective interest,” Aromasodu said.
