The Lagos Waste Management Authority(LAWMA), has called on motorists to exercise caution and patience while driving, especially during the festive season, to ensure the safety of its sanitation workers.

The agency also urged residents to properly bagg and containerize their waste.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the appeal on Monday at the Authority’s headquarters in Ijora Olopa, where he outlined LAWMA’s plans for managing the anticipated surge in waste generation during the Christmas festivities.

“Road safety is paramount. We appeal to motorists to exercise patience and caution, especially around our sweepers,” Gbadegesin said.“

They are dedicated to keeping Lagos clean, and their lives should be safeguarded at all times. Reckless driving endangers everyone, and we urge all road users to be mindful and responsible.”

As part of its efforts to maintain a clean environment, LAWMA has mobilized additional trucks and personnel to ensure prompt collection and disposal of waste across the state during the Yuletide.

“We have put adequate measures in place to address the increase in waste generation that comes with the festive season.

Our teams are fully mobilized with trucks and personnel to ensure prompt collection and disposal of waste in all parts of Lagos.

This is part of our commitment to making Lagos a clean and liveable city during and after the Christmas holidays,” the LAWMA boss stated.

To ensure effective waste management, LAWMA will deploy additional resources to high-traffic areas, including markets, residential neighborhoods, and commercial hubs.

Gbadeges in urged residents to support these efforts by properly bagging and containerizing their waste.

“Bagging waste properly facilitates efficient collection. Waste left unbagged often scatters, causes delays, and poses hazards for our sweepers and other road users,” he noted.

Gbadegesin also highlighted the Authority’s intensified public awareness campaigns, which include targeted radio programs, press releases, and active social media engagement, to encourage Lagosians to embrace proper waste management practices.

“We are leveraging every available platform to sensitize Lagosians.

Our goal is to establish a culture of cleanliness and responsibility, ensuring that waste is managed responsibly by every individual and household,” he added.

While wishing residents a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, the LAWMA MD assured the public that names and contact details of management staff would be made available for monitoring and complaints during the festive season.

For waste management-related concerns, residents can call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020, and 617, or visit their website at www.lawma.gov.ng.