LAWMA makes case for welfare of highway sweepers

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Mr Ade Adu, yesterday disclosed that the organisation has over 15,000 highway sweepers in the state.

Adu made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos.

He said that the organisation was doing its best to ensure that the needs and welfare of its employees were well taken care of, in order for them to work effectively.

“The safety and well-being of our workers is one of our top priorities,” he said.

Adu commended the good efforts of the sweepers in ensuring that highways in the state were always clean.

He attributed the hard work and efficiency of the sweepers to the motivational factors which the organisation has put in place.

“Our cleaners are well paid and also paid on time; they are given lunch, they work on shift which enables them to engage in other trades,” he said.

Adu said that the lives of all the sweepers are insured, adding that a clinic was also made available to provide first aid to any injured worker.

The PRO said that LAWMA organises a bi-annual safety precaution workshop, to educate and enlighten them on the best ways to carry out their duties.

He added that reflective overall jackets, mostly orange and lemon green, are worn by the sweepers, in order to alert motorists of their presence on the highways, to avoid being knocked down.

A sweeper, simply identified as Oluremi, who sweeps the Apapa-Ijora Expressway, said that she liked her job because she was being paid well and promptly.

Oluremi said the job also allowed her to do other jobs after she finished her sweeping.

Another sweeper, identified as Godwin, on the same highway, also commended the management of LAWMA in taking care of their welfare.

Godwin appealed to motorists to be more cautious on the highway, in order not to endanger their lives while on duty.