Bode Coker, the Chairman of the Association of Waste Managers, has attributed the incessant heaps of refuse on Lagos streets to the long period of holidays from Christmas day.
Coker made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos.
The chairman also attributed the unexpected surge in refuse generation in the state to the habit of residents, who always liked to clear their homes of old and unwanted items before the New Year.
Coker said: “What we are facing is an upsurge in the waste generation during and after the festive period.
“The PSPs (Private Sector Participants) are really trying to evacuate waste but the more we evacuate, the more waste is generated almost immediately.
“We continue to ask residents to bag their refuse properly, for easy pick up at any time.”
According to Coker, more waste is also generated from parties and other merry-making venues after the managers have picked up waste from such areas.
Coker, however, assured Lagosians of the commitment of the PSPs to always pick up refuse, as it is generated, in order to keep the environment clean.
He advised that residents should arrange with their waste managers, while preparing for parties and similar events, for immediate evacuation of their waste.
However, he said that this would be “at a little cost”.
If a waste manager delays in picking up refuse, Coker urged the residents to call for back up services from the Lagos Waste Management Authority.
He said: “We are contractors and our regulator is LAWMA.
“We work according to LAWMA’s dictates.
“But we all ensure that we contribute our quota by ensuring that we work in our designated areas for a cleaner environment.”
Coker called for more support and patience from residents, promising that the PSPs would continue to render their services for healthier surroundings.
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