Lagos to get 220 more trucks for waste collection, Hamzat

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has announced that the state will boost its waste collection efforts with 220 new trucks.

This news comes just two months after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed plans to bring in 150 compactor trucks to help with waste management.

Hamzat shared this information while speaking to reporters during the monthly environmental clean-up event in Festac, located in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, on Saturday.

He mentioned that the new trucks will support the current system of waste collection by private companies.

Hamzat said these trucks will help the government cope with the rising amount of waste produced as the population increases.

"The state government will be bringing in another 220 trucks to make sure that we supplement our PSP. What we need our people to also do is to make sure that they patronise their PSP, not the cart pushers, because they are not organised. You don’t know where the waste is ending up," he said.

When asked about the waste situation in Lagos, Hamzat explained that more people living and working in the state leads to more waste each day. He emphasized the need for residents to work together for effective waste management.

"A lot of people are coming to Lagos, and therefore they generate waste. So part of what you can see that we are doing is that we are getting many more trucks to actually go and evacuate," he said.

He reminded residents that they have a duty to dispose of waste properly. He pointed out that dumping trash in canals can block water flow and lead to flooding.

The deputy governor encouraged communities in Lagos to hold regular clean-up events. He wants residents to clean their neighborhoods at least once a month.

"We cannot be a people without a healthy environment. It doesn’t matter what we do, a cleaner environment is what makes a city or a state sustainable," he said.

Hamzat also called on residents to take personal responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and to use approved waste collection methods.

He said the government's outreach aims to help residents build a habit of maintaining clean spaces and creating a healthier place for children and others.

While discussing environmental management in the Festac area, Hamzat noted that the Federal Housing Authority has responsibilities there. Still, residents and property owners must follow Lagos State environmental rules.

He stressed that the state government is determined to make sure the environment is safe and pleasant for all.

Hamzat praised the local government chairman and residents for their involvement in the clean-up event. He said community participation is key to keeping Lagos clean.

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, also spoke about improvements in waste management. He credited the progress to 24-hour emergency response teams and efforts to fix issues at landfills and dumpsites.

Wahab mentioned that the government is working closely with private waste collectors to enhance waste collection in the state. He noted that the government has stepped in to help in areas where the Lagos State Waste Management Authority normally does not operate.

He assured PSP operators that they would receive the support needed to improve their services. He added that residents are expected to pay for the services provided according to the polluter-pays principle.

This approach will ensure that PSP operators get the help they need while residents receive the services they pay for.

Wahab explained that the government is shifting from the old way of waste management, which just collects and dumps waste, to a new system where waste is reused and turned into useful resources.

He said this change has led to the creation of material recovery facilities in Badagry and Epe, as well as transfer stations in Soluyi and Olusosun.

On the role of cart pushers, Wahab said the government is engaging with them but does not want to create bigger environmental and security issues later on.

He noted that investigations have shown that waste collected by some cart pushers often ends up in drainage and on roads, worsening environmental issues and flooding.

Wahab expressed concern about reports linking some cart pushers to crime, including stealing metals. He stated that the government cannot implement policies that would increase security problems in Lagos.