The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says waste collection challenges across Lagos will improve within the next six to eight months as the state expands its waste management infrastructure.
Speaking during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Badagry on Saturday, LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the state government is procuring more compactor trucks while local governments are supporting the agency by acquiring two trucks each.
He dismissed reports that councils were taking over waste collection, describing them as partners working with LAWMA to improve service delivery.
Gbadegesin said the delays in waste collection are largely due to Lagos' growing population and the increasing volume of waste generated daily.
He added that new disposal facilities, transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities are under construction, with Badagry set to host a major recycling and resource recovery centre.
The LAWMA boss also blamed recent disruptions on flooding around the Olusosun disposal site, which made access difficult for refuse trucks.
He, however, expressed confidence that operations would improve after another section of the site reopens to trucks by Tuesday, adding that only about 30 to 40 per cent of Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators were affected.
He urged residents to properly bag their waste, avoid dumping refuse on roadsides during collection delays, pay PSP operators promptly and report service failures through LAWMA's customer service channels.
He stressed that effective waste management requires the cooperation of both government and residents.
Meanwhile, the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Princess Damilola James, urged residents to maintain clean surroundings beyond monthly sanitation exercises.
Speaking during a community clean-up in Vetho Ajara, Badagry, she said proper sanitation is especially important during the rainy season to prevent blocked drains and reduce flooding, while commending environmental authorities for enforcing sanitation regulations across the state.
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