Lagos Government Cancels Licences of Six Waste Companies

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has cancelled the operating licences of six private waste collection companies. The state government said these companies did not have the ability to provide proper services in their areas.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared this news in a post on X on Tuesday.

This decision comes as the state deals with a serious waste management issue. Many roads and areas in Lagos are filled with uncollected waste.

The companies affected are K-HS Integrated Services, which used to be called Gboleybos Nigeria Limited, in Igbogbo-Baiyeku; Deshasat Enterprises in Olorunda; Bailas Nigeria Company in Ojo; Guestimate Environmental Protection Company in Orile Agege; Evabol Ventures in Ajeromi-Ifelodun; and Korad Closet Empire Limited in Ojodu.

Their service areas include Ward C1, Slot A, Abosan in Igbogbo-Baiyeku; Ibereko (LIMCA) in Olorunda; Sabo Oniba in Ojo; Papa Ashafa II in Orile Agege; Oluwa 1 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun; and Oke-Ira/Powerline in Ojodu.

Mr Wahab explained that K-HS Integrated Services chose to withdraw from its area. LAWMA cancelled the licences of the other five companies after checking their operations.

He said the assessment showed that the five companies could not keep providing waste collection services in their assigned areas.

"We will also ensure that the affected communities continue to receive uninterrupted waste collection services through appropriate interventions," he said.

Mr Wahab urged residents in these areas to use the approved waste collection channels.

This latest cancellation comes just months after LAWMA took similar steps against five other private waste operators.

In May, the agency withdrew the licences of Kenny JPS, Clean Craft Nigeria Limited, Doveroost Limited, Dewayls, and Pesjoy Ventures after reviewing their operations. Some waste collection routes were also changed.

This decision followed complaints about irregular waste collection in different parts of Lagos. In June, the state government directed LAWMA to meet with private waste operators after residents complained about poor waste collection, especially in Alimosho Local Government Area.

LAWMA has also been trying to improve the private waste collection system. In August, the agency started discussions with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria to reform operations and make private waste collectors more accountable.

On Monday, LAWMA Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the authority is reviewing the state's waste management system. This includes looking at the structure of the private waste collection scheme and how operators are held responsible for their performance.