The Lagos Waste Management Authority will dramatically improve refuse collection across the state within six to eight months, its managing director pledged on Saturday. Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin made the commitment during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Badagry.
Gbadegesin dismissed claims that local government councils were abandoning LAWMA to handle waste independently. The councils remain key partners working with the agency in various capacities, he stressed.
Each local government is acquiring two compactor trucks, while the state government procures additional collection vehicles to boost service delivery. The investment shows commitment to tackling the state's growing waste challenge.
The current delays stem from Lagos's explosive population growth and the resulting surge in daily waste volumes, according to the LAWMA boss. The state government is expanding waste management infrastructure to match rising demand.
Construction of new disposal facilities has already started, he noted. Work continues at the Olusosun site alongside development of transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities across the state.
Badagry will host a major material recovery facility focused on recycling and resource recovery. The facility will process waste safely and recover recyclable materials to generate revenue, not serve as a dumpsite.
Recent operational disruptions stemmed from flooding around the Olusosun dumpsite following heavy rainfall, Gbadegesin explained. Difficult access roads hampered refuse trucks, but he remained optimistic once an alternative section reopened for disposal.
Only 30 to 40 per cent of private sector participant operators faced disruption, he added. Many continued operations using satellite disposal sites in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry.
Residents should notice collection improvements before the week ends, he predicted. The authority expects steady progress as operations normalise.
Gbadegesin urged residents to store waste properly and pay PSP operators promptly. These actions support efficient waste management services across the state.
Effective waste management demands collective participation from government and residents, he stressed. Success requires everyone playing their part.
The LAWMA chief advised residents against dumping refuse along roadsides during temporary collection delays. He encouraged residents to report service failures through LAWMA's customer service channels for swift action.
