Photo File: Lagos State Wastewater Management Office

Residents of FESTAC Town in Lagos State have lauded the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for providing prompt, cost-effective, and reliable waste collection services, saying the agency has significantly improved sanitation in the area.

The commendation came during separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, where residents highlighted the improvements LAWMA has brought over previous informal arrangements.

Before LAWMA’s consistent presence, residents largely depended on informal waste collectors popularly known as Abokis to dispose of domestic waste. However, they noted that LAWMA’s scheduled pick-ups, which occur every Thursday and occasionally on Sundays, have greatly reduced indiscriminate dumping and environmental pollution.

Mrs. Grace Momodu of 5th Avenue told NAN: “LAWMA services suit my budget better than the Abokis because I don’t always have waste to dispose of, yet they can charge high amounts. For example, informal carriers may charge as much as ₦1,000 per pick-up, while LAWMA charges ₦1,000 monthly for the same service.”

Similarly, Mrs. Eniola Omotola, a resident of 22 Road, commended the cost-effectiveness of the agency’s services. “LAWMA charges ₦1,000 per month, regardless of the amount of waste. But if I hand the same amount to the Abokis, they tend to charge higher because there’s a limit to what they can carry,” she said

Mr. Emmanuel James emphasised LAWMA’s broader coverage and convenience compared to informal collectors: “Sometimes you may need the Aboki, and they may not be available. That’s why we prefer LAWMA. They can collect waste from the entire close, whereas Abokis have limits they can’t carry all the waste from even one close, let alone a whole block.”

Ms. Blessed-Gift Nwaruh of 3rd Avenue also acknowledged the progress but called for further improvement. “In the past, our area looked really dirty. Now, LAWMA officials pick up waste earlier than before. Still, more can be done to ensure a cleaner environment as we work to restore FESTAC Town to its former glory,” she said.

Residents agreed that the agency’s regularity and affordability have given them confidence their waste would be collected on schedule, helping to improve sanitation and the overall environment in FESTAC.