The Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS) has petitioned the Lagos State government over the classification of construction materials as refuse by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

The petition, dated August 10, signed by the Chairman, Alhaji Kamil Shodeinde and General Secretary, Chief Ahmod Olukotun, was also sent to the Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman and Members, House Committee on Environment, as well as LAWMA’s managing director.

The group criticised LAWMA for ‘’referring to planks, derricks, and other construction materials as “construction waste”.

It said: ‘’We wish to state categorically that these items are recyclable materials used for construction purposes and not waste in the ordinary sense. The misclassification and attendant levies/penalties are imposing undue financial burden on developers and end users, thereby worsening the cost of housing and construction in Lagos.’’

It said it wondered why waste should be categorised into domestic waste, medical waste, and Industrial waste, each requiring distinct handling and management.

It urged the House to investigate the failure of LAWMA to effectively manage domestic waste across the state and its impact on public health and environment; direct LAWMA to return to its core mandate of domestic waste evacuation and proper categorisation of waste as defined by law and best practice; call LAWMA to order on the arbitrary classification of construction materials such as planks and derricks as waste, and to desist from policies that increase hardship on citizens; ensure accountability and improved service delivery by LAWMA in line with the THEMES+ Agenda of the state government.

‘’It is no longer news that domestic refuse has defaced major parts of Lagos State. Our communities are overwhelmed with uncollected household waste, while LAWMA appears to have neglected its primary statutory responsibility of ensuring timely and effective evacuation of domestic waste.

It added: ‘’AREDOLS remains committed to a clean, safe, and orderly Lagos. We believe that urgent legislative intervention will restore sanity to waste management and protect Lagosians from further hardship. We kindly request that this petition be given urgent attention and also published in national newspapers for public awareness and action.’’

AREDOLS reiterated that the LAWMA should focus on the deteriorating state of domestic waste management across the state, which it said, is creating more hardship for residents and end users. (The Nation)