Some people living in the FESTAC area of Lagos have praised the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for doing a good job collecting waste quickly and efficiently.
Residents shared their thoughts in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, saying that waste collection has improved compared to how it used to be.
Before LAWMA started regular collections, people mostly relied on informal waste collectors, known as “Abokis,” to take away their household waste. But now, residents say LAWMA is more dependable, showing up every Thursday and sometimes on Sundays.
This regular service has helped reduce illegal dumping and pollution in the area. People feel more confident now, knowing that their waste will be collected on time. They also said that LAWMA’s services are cheaper than what the Abokis charge.
Mrs. Grace Momodu, who lives on 5th Avenue, said LAWMA fits her budget better. She explained that the Abokis often charge high prices, even when she doesn’t have much waste. “They can charge ₦1,000 each time, while LAWMA only charges ₦1,000 per month,” she said.
Mrs. Eniola Omotola from 22 Road also said LAWMA is more affordable. She explained that with LAWMA, she pays ₦1,000 a month no matter how much waste she has. But the Abokis might ask for more money because they can only carry a small amount at a time.
Mr. Emmanuel James added that LAWMA is more reliable and can collect more waste than the Abokis. He said that sometimes when people call the Abokis, they are not available. But LAWMA comes regularly and can handle waste from an entire street.
Ms. Blessed-Gift Nwaruh from 3rd Avenue said LAWMA has improved over time but there’s still room for improvement. She remembered when the area used to be very dirty but said that now, LAWMA comes earlier to collect waste. Still, she hopes even more can be done to keep FESTAC Town clean and beautiful again.
