LAWMA Rolls Out Infrastructure And Regulatory Reforms To Tackle Waste Backlog in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, says it is implementing sweeping infrastructure, regulatory and operational reforms to address waste backlog and improve environmental sanitation across the state.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this during a live interview on Lagos Traffic Radio’s Talk Time programme on Saturday.

Gbadegesin attributed the recent resurgence of waste on roads and inner streets to ageing landfill facilities, rising waste generation, heavy rainfall, and inadequate waste disposal infrastructure.

He said Lagos currently generates between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes of waste daily, driven by an estimated population of 22 million.

“The challenge is not just population growth. Two of our major disposal sites, Olusosun and Solous III, have reached the end of their operational lives. We are now carrying out end-of-life operations while transitioning to a more modern waste management system,” he said.

He noted that conventional dumpsites are no longer sustainable due to Lagos’ coastal terrain, limited land availability, and growing urban population.

According to Gbadegesin, the state is replacing landfills with Transfer Loading Stations, Material Recovery Facilities, and waste-to-energy plants.

Transfer loading stations under construction at Olusosun and Solous will each receive thousands of tonnes of waste daily before transporting it to modern processing facilities. The Olusosun facility alone is projected to handle 2,500 tonnes of waste daily.

A material recovery facility under construction in Ikorodu is expected to mechanically recover about 90 per cent of incoming waste.

“The organic fraction will become compost or energy, plastics will be recycled into products such as waste bins, while only a small residual fraction will end up in engineered landfills,” Gbadegesin said.

He disclosed that the projects are expected to create about 5,000 direct jobs and become operational in the first quarter of 2027.

LAWMA has also begun deploying waste-to-energy technologies, including biodigesters that convert market waste into biogas for electricity generation and cooking gas.

Gbadegesin cited the recently commissioned biodigester at the Ikoyi Fruit Market as an example.

Gbadegesin identified poor public compliance with waste management regulations as another major challenge.

He said every household is legally required to maintain waste bins and subscribe to licensed Private Sector Participation, PSP, operators for regular waste collection.

“A significant number of residents are not complying. When residents refuse to pay PSP operators, operators struggle financially and service delivery suffers. It becomes a vicious cycle,” he said.

He urged residents not to dump refuse on roadsides when collections are delayed. “If your PSP operator fails to collect your waste, contact LAWMA immediately. Do not resort to illegal dumping. We provide backup services and target a 48-hour response time for complaints,” he said.

Responding to complaints from areas including Ogba, Magodo and Osi, he assured residents that LAWMA would investigate erring operators and deploy backup trucks where necessary.

He said LAWMA monitors the performance of all licensed PSP operators monthly. “Operators that consistently fail to meet service standards receive warnings and can ultimately lose their operating licenses,” he said.

On enforcement, Gbadegesin described indiscriminate waste dumping as “an act of sabotage” because of its impact on flooding, traffic congestion and public infrastructure.

He said LAWMA has strengthened surveillance through Project WISE, Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement. Undercover teams monitor illegal dumping sites, apprehend offenders and prosecute them before environmental courts.

“We have secured thousands of convictions. Some offenders have served jail terms, while others perform community service by cleaning illegal dump sites,” he said.

LAWMA is also collaborating with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and the House of Assembly to review environmental laws and introduce stiffer penalties.

To drive behavioural change, LAWMA has intensified campaigns through the LAWMA Academy, which educates pupils, students and young people on recycling, the circular economy, and responsible waste management.

The authority is also working with the state’s 57 local governments and local council development areas. Local waste management task forces comprising community leaders, environmental officers and PSP operators have been established.

LAWMA is expanding a tricycle-based door-to-door waste collection model in communities inaccessible to compactor trucks. The initiative is already operating in Ibeju-Lekki and Lagos Island. Plans are also underway for community recycling centres where residents can exchange recyclables for cash.

Gbadegesin estimated that recyclable materials generated annually in Lagos are worth about $2.5 billion.

He added that LAWMA recently received 10 compactor trucks from the Lagos State Lottery Board and expects about 150 more before year-end.

He noted that Lagos requires about 2,000 compactor trucks for efficient statewide collection.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA is constructing or rehabilitating seven transfer loading stations in Olusosun, Solous, Ikorodu, Iberekodo, Ijegun, Agege and Oshodi. The state will ultimately require about 20 transfer loading stations under its three-year waste infrastructure development plan.

He advised residents to bag waste removed from drainage channels and notify LAWMA or local authorities for prompt evacuation. He also warned PSP operators against sorting waste on residential streets.

“You should begin to see noticeable improvements within the next few weeks. By August, when rainfall reduces, the situation will improve further. Before December, Lagosians should expect a cleaner environment and a cleaner festive season,” he said.