The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and the Labour Party Lagos State governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour have locked horns over Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for the immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state following the recent build up of refuse.
Reacting, Rhodes-Vivour, in a post on x described the governor’s directive as an admission of failure, not a solution stressing on the need of functional waste management system that prevents waste from accumulating.
He lamented that for years, residents had endured overflowing dumps, uncollected refuse, blocked drainage channels, and worsening environmental conditions despite billions of naira allocated to environmental management.
Commissioner Wahab countered Rhodes-Vivour, reminding him of the humongous task Lagos faces in terms of waste collection, explaining that LAWMA’s efforts towards waste disposal has scaled up, especially in blackspot areas.
He said Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste every day, adding that in May alone, LAWMA and PSP operators evacuated about 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state, averaging about 13,200 tonnes daily.
Pushing back, Rhodes-Vivour demanded impact and not explanation, just as he accused Wahab of bigotry and demanded his resignation.
Displeased by Rhodes-Vivour’s response, Wahab revealed that he has no interest in descending into the mudslinging and distractions but is focused on supporting the efforts of the Lagos State Government to ensure the safety, well-being, and prosperity of Lagosians .
