THOUSANDS of waste managers in Lagos and southwest states on Thursday
endorsed the presidential ambition of the APC’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu and the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for second
term.
The waste managers, under the aegis of the Association of Waste Managers
of Nigeria (AWAMN), popularly known as PSPs, at the Mobolaji Johnson
Arena, formerly known as Onikan Stadium, vowed to mobilize all its
members for door-to-door campaign for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
National President, AWAMN, David Oriyomi, said it was Tinubu who brought
in the PSPs in 1999 when he was governor of Lagos State in a bid to
tackle the waste problems of the state.
According to him: “He nurtured and empowered us through the small-medium
business model, and successive Governments built his solid foundation.
Lagos was transformed and received numerous accolades as one of the
cleanest states in Nigeria and Africa.
“When our livelihood came under attack and 350 businesses were faced
with the risk of bankruptcy. Asiwaju came to our rescue, by speaking out
for us and hereby securing our livelihood.
“Today, the small business model established by Asiwaju has been
replicated in over 9 states in Nigeria and other West African countries.
It is, for this reason, we as an association are fully and wholly
committed to voting and campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the
Next President of Nigeria,” he said.
Oriyomi also recalled that AWAMN was the first organization that
endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu in 2018, saying that the association
was pleased that he has “proven us right by the great work that he has
done in the State and for the environment.”
“You will all recall that he inherited a heap of waste across the state,
he started by declaring a state of emergency and backed it up with
action leaving Lagos better than what he inherited. Now, under his
leadership, waste is now seen as a resources and we are humble to be his
foot soldiers to making circular economy a reality. We are committed to
a Greater Lagos Rising,” he added.
Oriyomi pledged that the association would embark on a door-to-door
campaign, to reach every nook and cranny of the state for Tinubu and
Sanwo-Olu.
“We will secure 10m votes for our Grand Patron, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
Tinubu and Shettima. We will secure 2m votes for our Governor, Mr.
Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Femi Hamzat. We will secure votes
for all the Governors in all the states that we operate in,” he stated.
Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made a brief appearance at the event,
pledged to increase the salaries of waste managers in the state.
He called on them to vote massively for Tinubu, himself and other APC
candidates for various positions.
Sanwo-Olu reminded them that it was Tinubu who brought in PSPs in Lagos,
saying “this is where you eat, don’t listen to lies, we will increase
your wages.”
Also speaking, Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadri Hamzat told the waste
managers that it was Tinubu who brought about the PSPs, which many
states have adopted.
He said: “Tinubu knows the way, we should get our PVCs and mobilize
others to get their PVCs to vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu. Let them know
that it is Tinubu we are voting for. When he gets to Abuja, he will
perform.
“Many States in Nigeria now have KAI, LAWMA and LASTMA. Tinubu is our
teacher. On March 11, we should come out and vote for Sanwo-Olu,” he
said.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LAWMA, Ibrahim
Odumboni, said what has become AWAMN today had its foundation solidly
laid by Tinubu many years ago.
He noted that “Since one good turn deserves another, it is only
worthwhile that the association has mobilized its personnel in hundreds
and thousands, for APC’s victory in next month’s elections.
“As an emerging mega city at the time, Lagos State needed to solve the
challenge of solid waste management, which the administration of Asiwaju
Tinubu as governor of the time, confronted frontally, leading to the
emergence of the PSP operators,” he said.
Odumboni stated that through successive stages, they had evolved over
time, wading through challenges, but ultimately leaving the environment
and the cityscape the better for it.
He commended AWAMN, its executive and the teeming PSP personnel in
demonstrating a massive show of support for Tinubu’s presidential
ambition, and the re-election bid of Sanwo-Olu.
Odumboni noted that while this mobilisation was encouraging, the
association must equally translate the massive support to electoral
votes on election day, saying this was the only way to truly appreciate
and help actualize the worthy ambitions of Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
Chairman, APC, Lagos State chapter, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi urged the
waste managers to vote massively for Tinubu for laying the foundation
for a solid Lagos.
“Vote for him to become president. Collect your PVCs, tell others to go
and collect their PVCs so that we can vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu,” he
said.
High-profile politicians in attendance included the Lagos State APC
chairman, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for the Environment and
Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, and Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the Special
Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources to Lagos State Governor, the
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya.
