Residents and commuters in Apapa can now heave a sigh of relief as APM Terminals Apapa, in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), embarked on a clean-up exercise to clear the heaps of refuse dumps littering the Apapa-Wharf Road and its environs.
Speaking at the recent flagged off on Wharf Road, Martin Jacob, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, said the initiative was part of the company’s 2019 ‘Go Green’ campaign, an annual programme that aims at creating awareness on environmental degradation and encouraging sustainable waste disposal.
Martin charged port users to put an end to indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the port roads.
“We can complain but nothing will change if people do not change their attitude. We need to focus on what to do to achieve a sustainable clean port environment. We, as a corporate organisation, will help to make sure that happens,” he said.
Fumilayo Olotu, Apapa Port manager, who described the heaps of refuse in Apapa as an eyesore, said all hands must be on deck to restore the lost glory of the port city.
“Apapa used to be a place of pride in those days, so activities around the port community should not make us lose the heritage we had in the past. We must engage the truckers to ensure the heaps of refuse do not return,” she said.
Adele Owolabi, chairman of Apapa Local Government, applauded APM Terminals for coming up with the initiative to clear the refuse dumps that have littered the ports environs for months.
“It is a right step in the right direction to give back to the community by evacuating the refuse. It should be sustainable and in sustaining it, there should be sensitisation and advocacy campaign to these truck drivers and motor boys against throwing wastes on the road,” she said.
Ibrahim Ojuboni, executive director of LAWMA, who called for the sustainability of the clean-up exercise, also lauded APM Terminals for the initiative. He urged other corporate organisations to emulate the gesture.
The theme of the 2019 APM Terminals “Go Green” campaign is “Building Partnerships for a Sustainable Future”.
