Lagos faces worsening waste problems due to high generation, truck shortage

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has identified several critical factors contributing to the escalating waste management crisis in the state, including a surge in waste generation and a deficit of functional collection trucks.

Speaking on Nigerian Info 99.3FM, Hamzat explained that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is grappling with a volume of refuse far exceeding initial projections. The state government's revised estimate places daily waste generation at approximately 17,000 tonnes, a substantial increase from the earlier figure of 13,000 tonnes. This discrepancy has hampered effective planning and management of refuse collection across the metropolis.

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So, we thought that we are generating 13,000 tonnes on a daily basis. It turns out we are generating about 17,000

"So, we thought that we are generating 13,000 tonnes on a daily basis. It turns out we are generating about 17,000," Hamzat stated, emphasizing the need for accurate data in waste management. He also pointed to the difficulty in accounting for waste generated by individuals living and conducting activities on the streets, posing a challenge for authorities trying to quantify the total refuse output.

Another significant challenge Hamzat highlighted is the shortage of operational waste collection trucks. Lagos relies on about 420 Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for waste collection, with each operator contractually obligated to maintain at least two trucks, theoretically providing over 800 trucks. However, the actual number of functional vehicles appears insufficient to handle the current waste volume. Hamzat stressed the importance of self-organization, noting that disorganization is visible across many African cities, making planning and management difficult.

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So the people that sleep on the street, that man or those men or young boys that went and scraped the street, they generate refuse. How do we plan for that? How do we know?