The Momentum Support Initiative (TMSI) held a training program at the Secretariat of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Lagos, on the 26th of October 2024, with over 150 participants, including market women, residents, LCDA executives, and other stakeholders. The program commenced with participants filling out a pre-test questionnaire to assess their knowledge of environmental issues and waste management practices.
The event began with a prayer led by one of the market women, followed by the Finance Officer of TMSI, who served as the co-compere alongside the Program Officer, addressing the attendees. The moderators highlighted the purpose of the training, which was to address the barriers to sustainable environmental practices and proper waste management.
During the program, participants shared various challenges they faced in their neighborhoods and markets regarding environmental practices. Some participants shared how they didn’t have drainage systems in their streets and that even when they have, they are routed out of the street to any flowing path, leading to pathways for flooding. Other challenges they highlighted included a lack of intentionality in practicing proper waste disposal and irregular waste collection. The TMSI Program Officer responded by educating the audience on the proper methods for waste disposal, the dangers of refuse burning, and how to effectively engage with the waste management authority for assistance. Attendees were encouraged to use platforms like customer care lines, monthly meetings in the community, and stakeholder meetings to raise additional issues and work with the present stakeholders to find collaborative solutions.
The arrival of 10 local government executives, including the Chairman of the Igando-Ikotun LCDA Secretariat, added significance to the event. The Chairman, in his speech, emphasized the importance of environmental cleanliness and reiterated the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting the community in adopting effective waste management practices.
A panel discussion followed, featuring a LAWMA sweeper and an officer from the Lagos State Environmental Agency. The LAWMA sweeper shared challenges faced on the job, including insufficient equipment, low salaries, frequent accidents caused by reckless drivers, and uncooperative behavior from residents. They even shared instances where they were treated as less than human due to their line of work. When asked if these issues had been escalated to LAWMA management, the sweeper explained that communication was limited to their supervisors and appealed to residents to maintain clean environments to reduce the burden on sweepers and ensure their safety.
The officer from the Lagos State Environmental Agency highlighted challenges with residents of Alimosho, particularly their reluctance to participate in proper waste management despite the agency’s readiness to collaborate. The officer proposed stricter laws to enforce compliance with waste management regulations and penalties for offenders, including those who disregard safety signs during road cleaning. For publicity purposes, there were 2 media houses present to capture the event for dissemination.
One notable challenge that the compères experienced was when one of the female stakeholders we had engaged with in the Local Governement Office attempted to hijack the program for her local political powerplay purposes. However, both hosts swiftly jumped into action, ensuring to lead the discussion back on track with the intended agenda for the discussion.
At the conclusion of the program, participants filled out a post-test questionnaire to evaluate the knowledge they had gained. Certificates were distributed to schools and attendees, and participants identified three key takeaways on waste management practices to share within their communities, workplaces, and neighborhoods. The event ended with a group photo session, marking the success of the workshop.