The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has assured residents that current waste collection challenges across the state will ease within six to
eight months.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave the assurance during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Badagry on Saturday.

Mr Gbadegesin dismissed claims that local governments were taking over LAWMA’s waste management responsibilities through independent collection initiatives.

“That is not true. The local governments are partners. They are assisting the Lagos Waste Management Authority in various ways,” he said.

He said councils were acquiring two compactor trucks each, while the Lagos State Government was procuring additional trucks.

According to him, the additional equipment will strengthen waste collection and improve service delivery across the state.

Mr Gbadegesin attributed collection delays to Lagos’ growing population and increasing waste generation.

He said the state was expanding waste management infrastructure to address the challenge.

“Lagos State Government has begun the process of building new disposal facilities,” he said.

He stated that work was ongoing at Olusosun, while transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities were under construction.

He said Badagry would also host a major material recovery facility for recycling and resource recovery.

“It is not a dump site. It is a material recovery facility that will allow us to treat waste safely and extract valuable components for revenue generation,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin blamed recent operational disruptions on flooding around the Olusosun dumpsite.

He said heavy rainfall had made the access road difficult for refuse trucks.

“That will become a thing of the past by Tuesday when we reopen another section for trucks to dump waste,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin said only 30 to 40 per cent of Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators were affected.

“Many of them are going to satellite sites in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry. Maybe about 30 to 40 per cent have challenges,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that residents would notice improvements before the end of the week.

Mr Gbadegesin urged residents to store refuse properly and pay PSP operators promptly to support efficient waste management.

“Waste management is a collective exercise. We must all be involved,” he said.

He advised residents against dumping refuse on roadsides during collection delays.

Mr Gbadegesin urged residents to report service lapses through LAWMA’s customer service channels for prompt intervention.

In a related development, the Lagos State All Progressives Congress’ deputy governorship candidate, Damilola James, urged residents to embrace regular environmental sanitation.

Ms James made the call during a community sanitation exercise in Vetho Ajara, Badagry, on Saturday.

She said regular sanitation was vital during the rainy season to prevent blocked drains and reduce flooding.

Ms James urged residents to support the Lagos State Government’s environmental sanitation enforcement efforts.

“It’s important for us to clean our environment, especially at this season where there is rain, to ensure that all the debris is packed even before the rain begins,” she said.

She encouraged Badagry residents to sustain environmental cleanliness beyond designated sanitation days.

“It’s very important that we keep our environment clean. Cleanliness is next to godliness,” she said.

Ms James said community sanitation exercises strengthened relationships and encouraged shared responsibility for development.

“It builds community bond, and it helps to have that community unity when we clean our environment and take responsibility for it together,” she said.

She commended Lagos environmental authorities for enforcing sanitation regulations across the state.

“They’re doing a fantastic job. We really appreciate them,” she said.

Ms James expressed confidence that Lagos would sustain its environmental cleanliness efforts.

“Come 2027, I believe Dr Obafemi Hamzat will continue in this light to ensure that we keep Lagos State clean,” she said. (NAN)