Flood alert: LAWMA intensifies flood preparedness measures

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has strengthened measures to mitigate flooding as the rainy season approaches across the state.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this in an interview with the our correspondent on Tuesday in Lagos.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA had intensified pre-rainy season waste evacuation, especially in flood-prone and densely populated areas, to prevent blockage of drainage channels.

He noted that there is ongoing enforcement against indiscriminate dumping in drains, canals, and road medians to ensure free flow of storm water.

Gbadegesin explained that resurfacing of internal roads at Olusosun landfill had been approved to improve access and sustain seamless waste evacuation during heavy rains.

He said personnel and equipment were being strategically deployed to markets, highways, and flood-prone corridors for rapid response.

He added that monitoring of Private Sector Participants operators had been strengthened to ensure timely waste collection at household and commercial levels.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA was enhancing operations of Transfer Loading Stations and Material Recovery Facilities to reduce landfill pressure and improve turnaround time.

He said public sensitisation campaigns were ongoing in collaboration with the News Agency of Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency and other stakeholders.

Gbadegesin said that support was being provided for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation to promote community compliance and cleaner surroundings.

He urged residents to use its customer service line for prompt response to waste-related complaints.

Gbadegesin also encouraged Lagos residents to adopt waste reduction practices, including reuse and recycling, to minimise pressure on drainage systems.

Our correspondent reports that the Federal Government had last week issued a flood alert, warning that 33 states of the country, including Lagos and Abuja would experience flooding.