The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has appealed to the State and Federal Governments to create special fund for effective waste management.

The President of AWAMN, Mr Olugbenga Adebola, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ikeja, during the Inauguration of the  executive committee of the association.

Adebola described waste management as an essential sector of the economy which needed special funds within a single digit interest loan facility, to ensure environmental sustainability.

According to him, low interest rate loans will enable waste managers to invest more for sustainable environment.

”We are going with our demands to create a special fund for the environment family, especially for waste management.

”We shall work with the State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to explore access to single-digit loan facilities to our members.

He said that the waste managers were going to collaborate with government at all levels to transform waste management in the country.

”Our members are essential service providers, supporting environmental sustainability, health and well-being and nationwide aesthetics of the people and country.

“Low-interest-rate will enable our members to enjoy dedicated funding plans like the farmers, aviation industry, healthcare industry, among others.

”It will help our people to invest more, because waste management is highly capital intensive, and you also need to have access to single-digit credit facility like Anchor Borrowers’ Programme for farmers.

”The Federal Government is doing it for health sector, aviation industry and for all critical industries. We are also a critical industry, operating within the space of environmental sustainability,” he said.

The president described effective waste management as pre-health services, that would reduce Lassa fever, mosquitoes, and ensure better environment.

He appealed to the government to sponsor its members to local and international conferences, trainings and study tours, as these would expand their capabilities for better performance.

According to him, it will equally help waste managers to take advantage of newer technological advancements and innovations, which will enhance operational efficiency, reduce leakages and improve their income.

He said it would also help them to remain connected to the global trends within the industry.

”We need to work with researchers and develop even our members, that is why my administration is going to emphasise more on capacity development of our members.

”If you don’t train them, you don’t blame them, and one of our cardinal objectives is to train our members for effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says it is prepared for the flood opening as  Cameroun is set to open the flood gates of Lagdo Dam on the Benue River.

The LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Monday,  said the agency was fully prepared for the flood opening.

“In line with the paradigm shift from response to effective and efficient disaster management ,preparedness and prevention, the state  has carried out holistic measures.

“This holistic measures include the sensitisation and advocacy in historically affected areas and empowerment of local emergency management committees.

“This also includes strengthening of the early warning systems and clearing of drainage and gutters at the state and local government area  levels.

“We remain at high alert with improved infrastructure to manage any imminent challenges,” he said.

He, however, appealed to residents to remain calm.

The Newsmen recalls  that there had been alert over a possible flood along the River Benue basin in a few days.

The alert was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a letter dated Aug. 21,  and signed by Umar Salisu, the ministry’s Director of African Affairs.

Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Mr Shehu Ibrahim, says the Federal Government is planning a holistic approach to end the flooding menace in the Trademore Mega-City Estate and its environs.

Ibrahim said this in a statement issued sequel to the on-the-spot assessment tour of the flood-ravaged Abuja estate and its environs.

The statement signed by Mrs Eno Olotu and issued to journalists on Tuesday, quoted Ibrahim as saying that the tour was to enable EPO put up a comprehensive report  for government’s  further action.

Recall that the incident occured on Friday and left the estate located along Airport road badly hit.

Ibrahim decried the level of devastation caused by the flood,  adding that the problem was beyond the capacity of one agency of government.

He said the challenge required collaboration with sister agencies to come up with a comprehensive plan  of intervention.

“From our own assessment two factors are responsible for the flood – human and natural factors.

“It is something that will go beyond one agency, so we are looking at areas we need to come in and intervene and will liaise with other sister government agencies.

“Agencies like the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA), Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Federal Ministry of Environment must work together.

“We must come up with a comprehensive plan to see how we can address this issue and avoid a future occurrence,” he said.

Ibrahim, who said the natural factor resulted from raining season, blamed the human factor on compromise by the developers as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways by residents.

He advised on crucial and proper sensitisation on change of attitude.

“The assessment tour is part of the Federal Government’s proactive efforts to hasten the provision of a lasting solution to flooding in the area.

“Government will do its best to intervene on ecological issues and also send officers to go round to assess other areas affected.

“Government cannot sit down and allow things like this to happen,” lbrahim said.