Lagos to transform waste management with 100 CNG-powered compacting trucks
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is set to revolutionise waste collection in the state with plans to introduce 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactors this year.
The announcement was made by LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, during an interview with journalists on Monday.
Gbadegesin confirmed that the environmentally friendly CNG compactors will be rolled out this year, with plans to increase the number of vehicles in the following year.
“This year, we will be introducing 100 compactors, and next year, we will double that. Over the next five years, our vision is to completely upgrade the waste collection fleet in Lagos,” he said.
These CNG-powered compactors are designed to operate more efficiently and are more cost-effective to run than their traditional diesel counterparts. Additionally, the vehicles can utilise biogas derived from both liquid and solid organic waste.
“I should mention that these trucks could also use biogas, which is produced from organic waste—both liquid and solid,” Gbadegesin added.
In an effort to align with global best practices, LAWMA has partnered with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Swedish government to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on sustainable waste management.
The study revealed an exciting opportunity: a substantial portion of organic waste could be converted into biogas, offering a viable fuel source for both LAWMA and LAMATA’s growing fleets.
“The feasibility study showed that most of the water and solid organic wastes could be used to produce biogas, which would fuel LAWMA and LAMATA fleets,” Gbadegesin explained.
LAMATA plans to deploy around 2,000 CNG/biogas-powered vehicles starting next quarter.
Gbadegesin further emphasised that these green vehicles will also be made available to Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators, the key stakeholders responsible for waste collection from households.
“We rely on PSP operators for the job of collecting waste from households, and our role as a regulatory agency is to ensure that waste management in the state meets the highest standards,” he said.
The upgrade to waste management infrastructure will also include the revitalisation of existing transfer loading stations and the construction of new ones, with a significant collaboration between LAWMA and Zoomlion Nigeria.
“Zoomlion is investing its own money into the construction of new transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities,” Gbadegesin said.
