Lagos waste crisis: LAWMA and collectors trade blame amid cleanup efforts

Lagos residents and refuse collectors are engaged in a blame game over the persistent problem of waste heaps decorating the state's roads. In the second part of a report, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and private refuse collectors share their perspectives on the ongoing crisis.

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Lagos will be free from dirt when Lagosians decide that Lagos will be free from dirt. It is collective.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, stressed that maintaining a clean Lagos is a shared duty. He pointed out that the problem endures because some residents opt to dump their waste on roadsides instead of handing it over to the designated PSP operators. "Lagos will be free from dirt when Lagosians decide that Lagos will be free from dirt. It is collective," Gbadegesin stated. He urged residents to contact LAWMA if they experience delays in waste collection rather than resorting to roadside dumping.

Gbadegesin assured that the unsightly refuse heaps across the state would soon be a thing of the past. This assurance follows strategic interventions aimed at bolstering waste evacuation operations and enhancing waste management infrastructure. He made these remarks during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Road E and newly constructed disposal platforms at the Olusosun Disposal Facility in Ojota.

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If you have any delay in your collection, reach out to LAWMA. Don’t bring your waste to the roadside. That’s when we will stop having waste on the roadside.

He described the project as a significant milestone in the state government's efforts to remove operational bottlenecks, improve access within the disposal facility, and boost the efficiency of waste evacuation. The rehabilitation of Road E was necessitated by recent heavy rainfall that hampered access for compactor trucks. The upgraded road is expected to facilitate smoother access for waste evacuation vehicles, allow more trucks to discharge simultaneously, and reduce turnaround times at the busy facility. Gbadegesin also mentioned plans to wind down activities at the site, with a timeline in place, and noted that the reclaimed portion would provide a disposal area during this transition.

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We announced that the site, we’re winding down activities, and that we have a timeline.