…2,000 Sweepers To Benefit
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) partnered the
Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), to distribute LAG ID cards
to over 2,000 sweepers.
The event which took place at LAWMA headquarters, Ijora Olopa, followed a successful data-capturing exercise conducted earlier.
Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin,
expressed his enthusiasm for the exercise, highlighting its potential to
significantly impact the lives of sweepers, on daily activities and financial
transactions.
"We are incredibly proud to collaborate with LASRRA to
equip our hardworking sweepers with these invaluable ID cards. These cards
transcend mere plastic; they represent a gateway to multiple benefits that will
empower them and elevate their social standing."
Dr. Gbadegesin elaborated on the specific advantages the
LASRRA cards offer, emphasizing their multifaceted nature. "Firstly, these
cards serve as a legitimate form of identification, a crucial aspect often
missing in the lives of many sweepers. This empowers them to navigate everyday
interactions with greater confidence and fosters a sense of belonging within
the community."
Speaking further, the LAWMA boss said that beyond
identification, the LASRRA cards would unlock a spectrum of advantages that
directly address the sweepers' needs and aspirations, such as accessing
healthcare services and applying for loans.
"The cards act as a key that opens doors to essential
healthcare services, a fundamental right. This ensures their well-being and
enables them to maintain optimal health, crucial for their demanding work. With
these cards, they can also apply for business loans, fostering financial
inclusion and opening doors to economic opportunities that were previously out of
reach", he concluded.
The General Manager of LASRRA, Mrs. Bilikis Abiola, noted that
the initiative was a partnership with LAWMA, to help the Authority have a
unique database of sanitation workers and to enable them to access free healthcare
services with the cards.
"LAWMA has quite a large number of street sweepers
working assiduously every day and the Authority needs to know who
they are. Therefore, we have come up with a system where we utilise their
database, using biometrics, pictures and other details to ensure that we have
unique people, who will be issued the LAG ID card. This will help LAWMA handle
their sweepers and they will know the genuine workers”, she stated.
She said the card would also cover the health insurance scheme
for the sweepers, with LAWMA ensuring that all her sweepers have access to
cheap and free health care services.
Commenting on the exercise and reason for partnering with LASRRA,
the Team Lead Sterling Bank, Group Head Payment Products, Mr. Seyi Olanrewaju,
said the initiative was to provide financial services to a large section of the
public, under an initiative called identity banking, which aimed to give access
to easier and faster financial services to residents of Lagos, as well as other
financial facilities such as loans.
He said ‘’We have a concrete conjunction with the Lagos State
Government particularly LASRRA for the provision of cards layered with a lot of
opportunities. For every LASRRA card owner, you have access to BRT, loans and
other financial benefits and our aim is to reach out to about three million
residents of Lagos State, irrespective of their status/strata in other to
enrich and expand the LASRRA card activation scheme’’.
“The card has the same functionality as the ATM card, the
moment one is being given a card, a wallet account will be opened
automatically, and after it has been loaded, one can have access and benefit
from it. Each time one uses the card, it generates points which one can cash it
out later. As long as you have the card”, he stressed.
The high point of the event was the distribution and activation of
the cards to the sanitation workers (sweepers).
For waste management-related issues, call LAWMA toll-free
numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617 or send an email to
info@lawma.gov.ng.
Kadiri Folashade (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
0 Comments