Drainage Clearance Needs Waste Disposal Support!

In an attempt to prevent predictions released by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on flooding and rainfall, particularly on coastal regions which are characterized by high water levels and flat terrain, the Lagos State Government, in a press release issued by the state Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare in August, 2016, urged residents to focus more on clearing drains and canals in their areas during statewide monthly sanitation exercises observed between 7am and 10am. Pictures below as seen at Alesh street and Ajah market, off Lekki Peninsula express way, Lekki - Lagos Nigeria, shows that most residents comply with this directive by making efforts to clean out the drains in their locality.

The fate however of these 'cleared out wastes' is where the issue lies. From observation, there are often no waste disposal trucks to clear out stacked wastes after each sanitation periods.

Ajah market, Lekki

This leaves the 'cleaned-out' wastes littered all over the streets. Did I hear you scream "malaria and all sorts of epidemic/ flood disaster alert"... that is exactly what it is....  

Ultimately these abandoned wastes are washed back into the drains from where they were cleaned out, taking the efforts of well-meaning residents back-to square Uno.

There is need for closer collaboration between state's Waste Management Authority, for instance (LAWMA) and the Environmental Services and Waste Department to ensure that wastes are properly disposed after each sanitation exercise to avoid flood and epidemic outbreak.