The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, says new material recovery facilities being developed by the Lagos State Government will create about 5,000 jobs.

Mr Gbadegesin disclosed this during an interview  while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Apapa on Saturday.

He said the facilities would provide safer and more organised working conditions for people engaged in informal waste-picking activities, while strengthening recycling and resource recovery efforts in the state.

“The material recovery facilities will create about 5,000 jobs. Many of those currently working as scavengers will have opportunities to work in a cleaner environment and even earn more income,” he said.

According to him, the facilities are part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising waste management operations and reducing reliance on traditional landfill sites.

Mr Gbadegesin said the state was gradually winding down operations at the Olusosun and Solous landfill sites, while waste management firm Zoomlion Nigeria had commenced construction of transfer loading stations at the locations.

He explained that upon completion, private sector participants would dispose of waste at the transfer stations instead of directly at landfill sites.

“Once the transfer loading stations are completed, waste will no longer be dumped directly at the landfill sites. The sites will be closed, covered and eventually repurposed for other uses.

“The waste will be transported to material recovery facilities where recyclable and valuable materials will be separated and processed,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin acknowledged challenges posed by the rainy season, noting that access roads within landfill sites often become difficult to navigate during periods of heavy rainfall.

He explained that the roads were temporary earth roads that frequently became waterlogged and slippery, causing waste collection trucks to get stuck.

However, he said the state government had begun plans to upgrade the road network within the landfill sites to rigid pavement to ensure all-year accessibility.

“The state government has a plan to convert the road network within the dump sites to rigid pavement. This will transform operations, particularly at the Olusosun and other landfill sites, which are most affected during the rainy season,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin also noted improved public participation in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise since its reintroduction.

“The positive aspect is that there is more awareness today. As we move around communities, we see people already cleaning the frontages of their homes even before officials arrive.

“That is encouraging. We need to do more, but as we continue, we expect to see greater compliance from residents,” he said.

He added that LAWMA was sustaining the gains through advocacy and enforcement, with environmental health officers issuing notices to residents whose premises and surroundings remained unclean.

(NAN)