An environmental expert, Olawale Thompson, has charged all residents in Ikorodu to take up environmental sanitation as their personal responsibility.
In an interview with our reporter, Thompson said that the people of Ikorodu are predisposed to thinking that the cleanliness of their environment lies totally with the government.
Thompson, who runs an environmental agency on waste management and recycling, Planet Savers, stated that Ikorodu as a community is very low on environmental sanitation.
“On a scale of 1-10, I will give Ikorodu 3. One of the major problems is plastic waste pollution.
“I must confess that the residential areas in Ikorodu are working very well. We only have problems with the market,” Thompson noted.
Speaking on what his agency has done to improve the sanitation of the environment, he affirmed that they have engaged fully in their community recycling programme covering major areas in Ikorodu to ensure that materials are disposed of properly.
He added that they have engaged the Lagos Waste Management staff in Ikorodu on black spots and how to further tackle waste collection problems.
However, Thompson, however, pointed out the indifference of people towards the environment, saying a change in that regard would see a better environment.
He also highlighted how the low sensitization of market women and the weak enforcement of laws are contributing factors to the filthy state of the environment.
He said, “The government is doing its best; we, as a people, just have a thick skin on waste management.” A lot of people believe it’s the government’s responsibility, forgetting that we all have our own roles to play.
“Laws have been made. Perhaps with enforcement, the laws will be adhered to.
“Also, some areas are yet to be allocated waste collection operators, so that also needs to be looked into. Many areas still burn refuse or indiscriminately dispose of their refuse in Ikorodu.
“For traders, many markets have Dino bins for their refuse. More bins can be provided.
“Sensitisation of the traders and enforcing the existing laws will also put them in check.”
