…to procure new trucks to support PSP operators amid growing waste crisis
By Sodiq Adelakun
Lagos State, one of Africa’s largest megacities, is grappling with a severe waste management crisis, generating an estimated 13,000 tonnes of refuse daily, according to officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
This staggering figure, disclosed by LAWMA’s Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, underscores the immense challenge posed by rapid population growth and inadequate waste disposal infrastructure in the state.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalists on Monday, Gbadegesin outlined the strategies being implemented to address the escalating waste problem. LAWMA, in collaboration with Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, currently deploys 102 compactor trucks daily to manage the city’s refuse.
Despite this structured approach, he noted that the initiative continues to face substantial hurdles, particularly due to increasing operational costs and the economic instability affecting many PSP operators.
“We are at a pivotal moment. While our partnership with PSP operators has been effective in waste evacuation, the rising costs of operations—compounded by foreign exchange fluctuations and surging diesel prices—have significantly strained their ability to meet the growing demand,” Gbadegesin explained.
He further revealed that LAWMA is exploring innovative solutions to improve waste collection efficiency, including procuring additional compactor trucks to lease to PSP operators as part of an intervention scheme.
In its ongoing bid to reduce dependency on landfill sites, LAWMA has expanded its waste-to-resource initiatives, including the establishment of a glass recycling plant.
“People are beginning to realise the economic opportunities in materials such as PET bottles,” Gbadegesin remarked.
The waste management authority has also intensified efforts to clear marine waste, ensuring that coastlines, lagoons, and drainage channels remain free from refuse.
Additionally, LAWMA has broadened its scope to enhance the management of medical waste, now including human tissue waste produced by hairdressers and beauticians, further extending its operational responsibilities.
Despite these initiatives, Gbadegesin urged Lagos residents to adopt more responsible waste disposal practices.
“Every individual has a part to play. Whether it’s disposing of waste correctly through accredited PSP operators, keeping the gutters in front of our homes clean, or sorting waste at the source, we must all contribute towards a cleaner, healthier Lagos,” he stressed.
“In a city of this scale, waste management challenges will always persist. However, through sustained collaboration, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment between the government and the people, Lagos can uphold cleanliness and ensure environmental sustainability,” Gbadegesin concluded.
