Residents and traders in various parts of the Lagos metropolis on Thursday clamoured for the return of cart pushers, to enhance evacuation of refuse in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2010 outlawed the operations of the cart pushers in the state.
The authority had alleged that the cart pushers were responsible for the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places in the state.
In separate interviews, the residents told NAN that the state government should reconsider its decision on the prohibition of cart pushers from collecting refuse in neighbourhoods in the state, for a fee.
They appealed to government to recognise and integrate the cart pushers into the state’s waste management system.
At the Abibat Mogaji Iponri Market, some traders, after the weekly market sanitation on Thursday, called for the integration of the cart pushers into the state’s waste management system, for the effective evacuation of refuse after the weekly market sanitation exercise in the state.
A printer, Taofik Lawal, said that the services of the waste managers (Private Sector Participants or PSP) had become less efficient, especially in the last two years.
He said that if the cart pushers were part of the waste managers and adequately regulated, they would help to ensure that the heaps of refuse we see on the roads were cleared immediately after the sanitation exercise.
“We appeal that cart pushers should be called back but regulated by LAWMA to assist, especially in areas where the PSP have not been effective.
“We do our sanitation every Thursday and the refuse generated are not usually evacuated until the next sanitation day due to delays in waste collection.
“If the `Koke kole’ (cart pushers) are allowed to work, all these refuse piling up on our roads would have been immediately cleared at the end of every exercise,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mrs Atinuke Ajayi, an Event Manager, who also craved for the return of the cart pushers, called for their thorough supervision and integration into the state’s waste collection system.
She suggested that there should be a form of identification for all those in the business, for easy tracking and supervision.
Ajayi noted that the cart pushers were banned due to the indiscriminate ways they allegedly dumped their refuse.
She acknowledged that the pushers were more efficient and faster in discharging their duties because they were paid for picking the refuse.
“If they can be co-opted into the system, evacuation of wastes will certainly become more efficient in the state,’’ Ajayi said.
Mr Nsikak Imoh, a lawyer and resident in Surulere, said the cart pushers should be allowed to compliment the efforts of the PSP, for efficiency.
“The Lagos State Government is applying executive intimidation in dealing with the issue of the cart pushers.
“The men, who go about collecting and carting away refuse from willing customers, should be allowed to do so promptly.
“The truth is that those given the job of disposing refuse through LAWMA are not enough.
“These cart pushers are complementing the work of the PSPs and they should be recognised and encouraged.
“The state government should also be informed that the PSPs do not cover most parts of the state.
“The Lagos State Government should be considerate, as the heaps of refuse in various parts of the metropolis are becoming worrisome and we certainly need help,’’ Imoh added.
