Metro
LAWMA Partners West Africa ENRG for Lagos Badagry Expressway Cleanup
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has partnered West Africa ENRG, an environmental services company, for a thorough cleanup of heaps of refuse in black spots along the Lagos Badagry expressway, stretching 19 kilometres, from Mile 2 to Iyana Iba.
A statement by the Authority’s Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Folashade Kadiri, quoted the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, as saying that the exercise would last for about three weeks, and will involve deep cleaning of the expressway, with particular focus on service lanes, dedicated bus lanes, tolled lanes, intersections, medians, and kerbs.
He said the move was meant to put a permanent stop to the menace of highway littering and indiscriminate dumping of waste along that corridor, adding that the agency would also focus on the sustainability of the work done.
Odumboni said, “The task of keeping Lagos clean is a collective responsibility and we are glad today to partner with West Africa ENRG, for the cleanup of the Lagos Badagry expressway, stretching from Mile 2 to Iyana Iba, which has experienced an upsurge of black spots, due to the activities of miscreants engaging in indiscriminate waste dumping”.
“We have a sustainability plan in place to ensure that the waste evacuated from such places as service lanes, dedicated bus lanes, tolled lanes, intersections, medians, and kerbs, etc, do not return after some time. This is because, sustaining the work done, is as important as starting it”, he stated.
Speaking further, he said that LAWMA remained totally committed to entrenching effective sanitation across all parts of the state, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targeted at ensuring environmental cleanliness and sustainability.
Recall that the agency recently promised to tackle headlong the upsurge of black spots across the metropolis, especially on the Lagos Badagry expressway axis, and to ensure that the sanitation work done was sustained, by moving LAWMA police to monitor the cleared areas.
The LAWMA helmsman also urged residents to shun the act of patronising cart-pushers and all forms of improper waste disposal, during the forthcoming Christmas and New Year festivities, especially on road medians, canals and uncompleted buildings, saying that such condemnable act led to the spread of infectious diseases, as well as causing various environmental hazards, like flooding.
He implored residents to patronise assigned PSP operators, for prompt evacuation of their waste, and call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020/617, for inquiries and complaints on waste management issues in their areas.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
The Lagos State Police Command has vehemently denied reports making the rounds that it was involved in the attempted release of a Lebanese national, who is in custody for the defilement of eight children.
The Police made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Lagos, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In the statement titled, RE: OUTRAGE AS LAGOS POLICE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPT TO RELEASE LEBANESE ACCUSED OF DEFILING EIGHT CHILDREN, the Police noted as follows:
“The Lagos State Police Command is not involved in any alleged attempt to release a Lebanese accused of defiling eight children.“
The story is therefore inaccurate and misleading.
The above case is being handled discreetly by the Gender Unit of the Command with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, and in line with international best practices, by specially trained gender case specialists.
Furthermore, the investigation strictly follows the standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons. The Gender Unit of the Command remains firmly committed to child protection and upholding due process in the pursuit of justice, without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone involved, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.
The case in question, which is under thorough investigation, does not involve any Lebanese, but rather a national of one of the Southern African countries. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that justice is served in the matter. It is important to inform the public that both the biological mother of the child and the child herself made statements to the Police affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person.
However, the complaint by the child’s father, who has custody of the child, on his allegations against the accused person, is being carefully investigated to ensure justice in the matter and prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a discreet investigation into the allegations highlighted by the reporter in the report to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting to the root of the matter . The writer of the story has also been contacted and briefed on the steps being taken by the Police to ensure that justice is achieved.
The Commissioner of Police furthermore wishes to reiterate his full confidence in the impartiality, competence, and high level of professionalism in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, Lagos Police Command,Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Toyin Kazeem, who was officially out of the country on IACP in the United States when the matter was reported to the Gender Unit. Her exemplary track record, both locally and internationally, exemplifies her integrity, dedication, and commitment to handling gender-related and other sensitive cases. Under her leadership, the Gender Unit has brought pride to the Command and provided justice to numerous vulnerable persons, including women and children.
The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the public and the media to continue to repose trust and confidence in the ability of the Command to deliver justice in all cases, particularly those involving children and other vulnerable groups. The outcome of this case will be made known to the public on completion of the investigation.
The family of former President Shehu Shagari has announced the death of his last surviving widow, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari.
She passed away on Monday at the age of 89, after a prolonged illness.
A statement signed by the eldest son of the former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirmed that Saratu died at about 3 pm.
He described the late Hajiya Saratu as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity and service.
The family also said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
