Sanwo-Olu Acts Fast to Clear Lagos Waste After Report

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an urgent increase in waste removal across the state. This comes after many people raised concerns about rubbish piling up in different communities.

The governor shared this news on Thursday. He said the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Ministry of Environment are now working hard to fix the problem.

"LAWMA, LASEPA, and the Ministry of Environment are currently working around the clock," Mr Sanwo-Olu said in a statement on his social media.

"We have deployed extra trucks and personnel to clear the backlogs across all affected neighbourhoods. You should already see progress on the streets and we will not stop until our city is completely clean again," he added.

This move comes weeks after a PREMIUM TIMES report showed that refuse was piling up all over Lagos. The report pointed out problems in the state’s waste management system. Many roads, medians, and public spaces are filled with rubbish.

The governor understands the challenge. He noted that Lagos produces over 13,000 tonnes of waste every day. Managing this waste properly requires a lot of resources and coordination.

He also asked residents to help by properly bagging their waste and not dumping it in drains or on the roads.

The PREMIUM TIMES investigation found that rising operational costs, irregular waste collection, and some residents not following rules have made waste management worse in parts of Lagos.

Residents from places like Jakande in Ejigbo LCDA shared their complaints. They said waste collection is delayed or inconsistent. Some mentioned that rubbish often stays uncollected for a long time.

The report showed large piles of waste along major roads and public spaces in Ikeja, Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikorodu, and Lagos Island.

Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators, who collect household waste in many areas, told PREMIUM TIMES that high diesel prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and long trips to disposal sites have raised their operational costs.

Some operators mentioned that these economic pressures have made it hard to keep up with regular collection schedules. This has led to more rubbish piling up in various neighbourhoods.

The investigation also revealed that some residents, tired of waiting for waste collection, have started using informal waste handlers or dumping their rubbish in unauthorized places.

Experts have warned that poor waste management can lead to serious public health and environmental issues. Blocked drainage from dumping can increase flooding in the rainy season. Decomposing waste also leads to diseases and pollution.

These concerns have grown in recent months as residents and civil groups raised alarms about rubbish heaps appearing again in different areas.

While the governor's order aims to tackle the current waste backlog, researchers say Lagos needs bigger changes to solve these problems in the long term.

The PREMIUM TIMES investigation featured researchers from the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC). They suggested better teamwork among government agencies, private waste operators, informal waste collectors, and local communities.

The researchers also said Lagos should improve waste sorting and recycling programs, enforce laws against illegal dumping, and invest in new waste processing facilities to handle the city's growing waste.

They called for the integration of informal waste collectors into the formal waste management system. Many of these workers already help recover recyclable materials and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

The researchers emphasized that making waste collection services financially sustainable is also important. PSP operators are struggling with rising costs.

They argued that better infrastructure, stronger regulations, public education, and community involvement are necessary to create a waste management system that can keep up with Lagos’ fast-growing population.

For now, the state government is focused on clearing the waste that has built up.

"We are fully on top of this situation. Let us work together to keep Lagos clean and safe for everyone," Governor Sanwo-Olu said.