The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced plans to close the Olusosun and Solous dumpsites and sanction private waste operators that fail to meet environmental standards, officials said.
In a statement, LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Akinbiyi Coker, said the agency is taking steps to enforce sanitation laws and end dangerous waste dumping in communities.
“Hazardous waste disposal is a threat to public health,” Coker said, adding that poorly managed sites have become unsafe for residents and workers.
Coker said timelines for closure have been set and will be shared soon with relevant stakeholders.
He noted that the Olusosun site, one of West Africa’s largest landfill sites, has been a longstanding environmental concern.
The authority also warned private sector participants (PSPs) in waste management that they must comply with standards or face penalties.
“PSP operators who do not meet the required environmental and operational standards will be sanctioned,” the statement said, warning companies to improve service delivery.
LAWMA said it will enforce existing laws, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, to ensure dumpsites do not harm nearby communities.
Coker told journalists that waste management must prioritise safety and environmental protection.
Residents and environmental activists have long criticised the conditions at Olusosun and other dumpsites, saying open burning of waste causes smoke and air pollution that aggravates health problems like asthma.
The planned closures are part of the state government’s broader sanitation and waste reduction drive, which aims to improve living conditions and public health across Lagos.
LAWMA urged residents to cooperate with new procedures and collaborate with authorities to keep the environment clean.
