Lagos State Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab and SA Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu over the weekend convened a meeting with PSP waste operators, harping on improved service delivery and transparency.
This is contained in a press statement signed by Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry, Kunle Adeshina
The Commissioner noted that their modes of operations must be digitised to make it more transparent and profitable.
He made the point while addressing the executive of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) during a Alausa.
“Being aware that PSP operators are in business to make profit and sustain employment, then cash collection must be digitised for transparency. If for example, you tell me that you have control of 45% of this business, tell me what 100% of the business is, these are some of the logical questions that demand answers,” he said.
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.
He said the government is aware that the PSP operators need some interventions but they must explain why the revenue being generated presently has dropped by 50 percent within five years
READ ALSO:
70th Birthday: Tinubu eulogises Osemawe of Ondo
Youth unemployment eradication, our priority — Dangote
Admission racketeering: JAMB welcomes Senate’s probe
“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 generation of waste has necessitated the need for a major change in PSP daily operations, adding that the present costing is not sustainable in the light of growth to the economy.
According to him, “I think it is high time we have to sit down and thoroughly review the whole gamut of the PSP operations. The fact is that we must be able to speak the truth to one another as this will continually encourage the government to complement what the operators are doing”.
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 always, including numbers of trips undertaken by each operator daily amongst other things.
“This portal will be accessible via internet connection on a range of devices, from desktop computers to feature phones regardless of location, age, or socio-economic status”, he said.
He 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, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu noted that the government understands that the state is faced with a solid waste management challenge as a result of urbanisation 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 in order to consolidate what has been achieved. Everybody must work together for a floodfree and sustainable environment”, he said.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen Environment 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 not.
In response, the President, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM), 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 and bring all options to the table towards agreeing on the best way forward.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
