Some Lagos residents have attributed their preference for cart pushers to the ineffectiveness of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators in ensuring prompt refuse evacuation.

They, however, urged LAWMA to ensure effective waste evacuation in 2025 to prevent the spread of dirt and health hazards.

In separate interviews with journalists on Sunday in Lagos, the residents tasked LAWMA to spread their waste evacuation net to accommodate more residents as cart pushers cash in on the gap to do brisk business.

Joan Obasi, a FESTAC resident, said LAWMA had not been visible in their area, making many residents prefer cart pushers.

“When we were using LAWMA, we expected them to come every Tuesday, but they never showed up. We prefer to use the cart pushers because they are readily available,” Ms Obasi said.

Also speaking, Mercy Ogunjobi, a Dopemu resident, said LAWMA had the practice of evacuating their waste once a month “but barely showed up.”

“We complained, but there has been no change. They usually complain about the cost of diesel to power their vehicles. I don’t think that is an excuse because the LAWMA rate keeps increasing,” Ms Ogunjobi said.

Dorcas Ikechukwu, a resident of Shasha, a suburb of Lagos, said LAWMA had the practice of coming once in two or three months to evacuate their wastes.

“We hardly see them. So, we rely on the cart pushers to evacuate our wastes,” Ms Ikechukwu said.

Akunne Obiora, who resides along the Ago Palace Way, Okota, said most streets in the area use the cart pushers because they are readily available and efficient.

“Where we usually see LAWMA is the major road, that is, Ago Palace Way, and they usually evacuate waste that has been pilled up along that road.

“Sometimes, they delay in coming to evacuate the refuse, but they do come. LAWMA come when people are not around, and it is not convenient for us,” she said.

Lilian Agunbiade, a Pius Eze, Aboru resident, said LAWMA has remained averagely consistent.

“They come every week, but sometimes we don’t see them. There are a few places where refuse litters the environment because of the population density of the area.

Rosemary Ani, a resident of Bucknor, along the Jakande Estate/Ijegun corridor, said, “I don’t use LAWMA because I have not really seen them, though my landlord told me that they come every Saturday.”

She said most residents in the neighbourhood have their waste bins outside their compounds, and “sometimes, it will be full to the brim before LAWMA will come to evacuate them.”

Benjamin Mordi, a resident of Jakande Estate, said LAWMA PSPs have been regular at the estate.

A resident of Lekki Phase One said LAWMA had been very effective and attributed it to the locality.

Meanwhile, LAWMA spokesperson Folashade Kadiri told journalists that the agency is dedicated to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment by improving waste management practices and encouraging collaboration between citizens and the government.

She condemned the use of illegal cart pushers who contribute to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, causing environmental damage and flooding.

Ms Kadiri said LAWMA would enforce environmental laws through a robust monitoring team and as well strengthen the operations of PSPs to ensure timely waste collection.

“The agency also promotes the Adopt-a-Bin initiative, encouraging households and businesses to use smart waste bins to reduce illegal dumping and pollution.

“LAWMA remains proactive in adapting strategies to meet the city’s growing waste management needs and urges residents to report waste-related issues through its toll-free lines,” Ms Kadiri said.

(NAN)