LAGOS/Nigeria: The Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has disbursed N96 million in soft loans to eight Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in a strategic move to strengthen waste collection and environmental sanitation within the council area.
The initiative, described as a landmark intervention in grassroots waste management, provides each operator with N12 million as working capital to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery, according to details of the programme.
Speaking at the disbursement event, the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Mr. Idowu Akinola, said the scheme was designed to improve sanitation standards and ensure a cleaner environment across Orile-Agege.
He explained that beneficiaries would enjoy an initial grace period before commencing repayment, adding that the loans would be repaid over a 12-month period in structured instalments.
“We are supporting eight PSP operators with N12 million each as a soft loan. After a short grace period, they will commence repayment in instalments of N1 million monthly,” Akinola said, stressing the council’s commitment to sustainable waste management.
The chairman noted that the council adopted a multi-stakeholder approach involving Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and residents to ensure the success of the initiative.
He further disclosed that enforcement measures had been introduced to curb indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that recent actions had already resulted in a noticeable reduction in refuse on the streets.
A representative of the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Babatunde Suleiman, who is also Head of PSP Services, commended the initiative, describing it as a model capable of being replicated across other local governments.
He revealed that several councils had already shown interest in adopting the approach, noting that the programme’s success was anchored on inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Also speaking, the National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr. Olubenga Adebola, described the intervention as innovative, noting that it was a product of deliberate planning and strong collaboration.
He emphasised that the loan, which comes without collateral or interest, would enable operators to maintain their equipment and improve service delivery, urging other councils nationwide to replicate the model.
Adebola further called for a shift in public perception, urging residents to see waste as a valuable resource capable of generating economic benefits rather than mere refuse.
In her remarks, the Head of Department of Environment in the LCDA, Mrs. Abimbola Adebimpe, described the initiative as long overdue, warning residents to comply with sanitation regulations as enforcement would soon be intensified.
Similarly, Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Mr. Oladumeji Adigun, said the intervention underscored the importance of supporting PSP operators to achieve effective waste management and a healthier environment.
Beneficiaries of the scheme expressed appreciation to the council leadership, pledging to collaborate fully in delivering improved sanitation services across the LCDA.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is expected to significantly enhance operational capacity, improve waste collection efficiency, and promote a cleaner environment in Orile-Agege.
