By Tope Musowo Lagos
Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), which is a major reform of his administration to revolutionise the solid waste management sector in line with international best practices would begin in the fi rst week of September. Th e governor, who spoke at a media workshop in Lagos to sensitise journalists ahead of the take-off , said the initiative would not only change the solid waste management system in the state, but would also engender a sustainable, cleaner and healthier environment for Lagosians, just as he assured that the people would be better for it. Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said all was now set for the eventual take off , with the passage of the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, the concession of residential waste collection and procession to a reputable and competent multinational Waste Services Company as well as the transformation of the erstwhile Kick Against Indiscipline Brigade to a more civil Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC). He said in the interim, a temporary intervention programme tagged “Operation Deep Clean,” was already on going with a mandate to evacuate solid waste from dark spots and major locations across the state, urging Lagosians to cultivate the habit of bagging their waste properly. “We are going to start the CLI by fi rst week in September and by the grace of God Lagosians would see how we intends to clean Lagos and make it a more beautiful and live-able environment for us. “I want to tell Lagosians that don’t dump refuse irresponsibly, bag your refuse, put it in front of your house and I assure you, this Government would come and take them. Don’t worry, where there is no pain, there is no gain, this is just a transition that we are in and by the grace of God come fi rst week in September, we would see the new thing and we would all enjoy it and be happy about it.
