By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

LAGOS Waste Management Authority recently handed over the just completed Makoko Resource Centre, which aims at ensuring a cleaner environment via the 3Cs project that is, Community Clean-up Campaign.

The project, which began November 2011, was embarked upon to ensure every community collaborates with LAWMA to sustain a clean environment.

The new initiative involves the exploration of technical and human capacity in partnership with Community Development Associations CDAS, communities focal persons, women leaders, NGOs, media among others to achieve a clean and aesthetically viable environment.

The site on which the Resource Centre/ Recycling Bank stands had been an illegal dumping ground for more than ten years. Little wonder members of the community were happy to witness its new status.

General Manager, Technical Services of LAWMA, Mr. Jelili Olubori, who represented the Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said that the whole idea of the Resource Centre is bent on inculcating the spirit of sanitation, encouraging grassroot participation  and also to improve the economy of the community.

While emphasizing the immense benefits of the centre for the community, Olubori, urged the community members to embrace the opportunities made available through the LAWMA Waste-to-Wealth initiative programme.

The initiative is whereby people would be paid for bringing recyclable waste materials like plastic and papers, invariably, empowering them economically and also maintaining the healthy status of the community. Apart from the buy-back cum recycling bank, Makoko resource centre can also serve as recreational ground where people can unwind after the day’s job.

Olubori, therefore, seized the opportunity to appeal to individuals to take ownership of their environment and support government in the drive for a cleaner city. The Baale of Makoko Community, Prince Raymond Adekunle Olaiya, who led other leaders at the commissioning, commended LAWMA for executing such a laudable project in the community.