Waste management agency blames recent collection delays on flooding and population growth as new facilities and trucks are expected to boost operations across Lagos….
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has assured residents that the state’s ongoing waste collection challenges are temporary, expressing confidence that significant improvements will be recorded within the next six to eight months.
Speaking during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Badagry on Saturday, LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency was implementing several measures aimed at strengthening waste collection and expanding disposal capacity across Lagos.
Addressing speculation that local government councils were taking over waste collection from LAWMA, Gbadegesin dismissed the claims, explaining that the councils remain strategic partners working alongside the agency to improve sanitation services.
According to him, local governments are supporting LAWMA by acquiring two compactor trucks each, while the Lagos State Government is also investing in additional waste collection vehicles to improve operational efficiency.
He attributed the recent delays in refuse collection to the rapid growth of Lagos’ population, which has led to a steady increase in the volume of waste generated daily. To address the pressure on existing infrastructure, the state is investing in new waste management facilities and upgrading existing ones.
Gbadegesin disclosed that expansion works are currently underway at the Olusosun facility, while transfer loading stations and material recovery centres are being developed in different parts of the state. He added that Badagry will soon host one of the state’s major material recovery facilities designed to promote recycling and convert waste into valuable resources rather than simply disposing of it.
He stressed that the proposed facility should not be mistaken for a traditional dumpsite, noting that it would focus on waste processing, recycling and resource recovery, creating both environmental and economic benefits.
The LAWMA boss also blamed recent disruptions in waste evacuation on heavy rainfall, which flooded access roads leading to the Olusosun disposal site and slowed the movement of refuse trucks.
However, he assured residents that the situation would improve quickly, revealing that another access route to the facility was scheduled to reopen, allowing trucks to resume normal operations.
Gbadegesin explained that only about 30 to 40 percent of Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators were directly affected by the disruption, as many operators had continued disposing of waste at alternative facilities located in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry.
He expressed optimism that residents would begin to experience noticeable improvements in waste collection before the end of the week.
While appealing for public cooperation, the LAWMA chief urged Lagosians to properly bag and store their waste, avoid dumping refuse on roadsides during temporary collection delays, and ensure prompt payment to PSP operators to support uninterrupted service delivery.
He also encouraged residents experiencing collection issues to report them through LAWMA’s customer service channels for immediate attention.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in Lagos, Damilola James, called on residents to make environmental sanitation a regular habit rather than an occasional exercise.
Speaking during a community clean-up campaign in Vetho Ajara, Badagry, James said maintaining clean surroundings is especially important during the rainy season, when blocked drainage systems often contribute to flooding.
She urged residents to support the Lagos State Government’s sanitation enforcement efforts and sustain environmental cleanliness beyond the monthly sanitation exercise.
According to her, community clean-up initiatives not only improve public health but also strengthen unity among residents by encouraging collective responsibility for their environment.
James also commended environmental agencies in the state for their continued enforcement of sanitation regulations and expressed optimism that Lagos would sustain its drive toward a cleaner and healthier environment in the years ahead.
