Lagos wastes’ value reaches $2.5billion, says LAWMA MD

The Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed that 90 per cent of the waste disposed of in the state is worth about $2.5 billion.

He reiterated his agency’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner environment.

He lamented that 90 per cent of waste Lagosians throw away has value to the tune of $2.5billion. He stressed that it’s high time that residents start sorting their waste, collecting it and giving it to those who are in need of it. Waste to wealth is the key to the survival of Lagos when you visit Olusosun and Solous 3, you will confirm it yourselves, he stated.

He said: “In Lagos we must move to a point where we ban landfill sites and that is what we are moving towards as a state government. We have commenced the process of decommissioning Olusosun and Soluos 3 within the next 18 months. We have already gone two months out of those 18 months. Just give us an allowance for plus or minus. We are committed to decommissioning them.”

In a statement, the state government has reiterated the need for residents to sustain the quest for a cleaner state by avoiding unsanitary practices during the yuletide season.

The Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement canvassed the need for residents to maintain a high level of environmental cleanliness and strict adherence to proper waste disposal practices throughout the celebrations.

According to him, the Yuletide period traditionally witnesses increased social activities and consequently, a surge in waste generation.

He advised residents to be more environmentally conscious and ensure that all forms of waste, including animal and food waste are properly sorted, bagged, and disposed of at designated collection points for evacuation by assigned Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators.

The Commissioner assured Lagosians that LAWMA is adequately positioned and remains fully prepared to respond promptly to waste evacuation needs during the festive period.

He emphasized the ban on patronising cart pushers, cautioning residents against patronising them and noted that such practices undermine the state’s waste management system and contribute to environmental degradation.

The Commissioner also reminded residents of the availability of LAWMA’S Customer care lines which is a reliable platform for reporting environmental infractions such as illegal dumping, black spots, and other sanitation-related concerns.

“I would like to appeal to all residents to promptly and always report cases of any environmental infraction, black spots and illegal dump sites noticed within their communities from time to time to the government,” he said.

Gbadegesin said the Mr Governor remained committed to promoting a healthy populace, a cleaner environment, and flood-free Lagos urging residents to reciprocate government efforts by demonstrating responsible environmental behaviour at all times.

Advertisement

Wahab further warned residents to avoid storing petrol and other inflammable materials in homes, offices, shops, and markets, noting that such practices significantly increase the risk of fire outbreaks, especially during the dry season when materials in the environment are highly combustible.

While reiterating that sustained adherence to good sanitation and hygiene practices across the state will go a long way in promoting public health he warned that the state will prosecute environmental offenders.

He also urged residents to desist from dumping refuse on roads and in canals, warning that anyone caught in the act of dumping refuse in authorised places will face the full wrath of the law. He advised all residents to embrace waste separation, adding that we must all stop throwing everything away and start sorting as it is done in advanced countries.

Gbadegesin reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to maintaining a cleaner environment, urging residents to stop dumping refuse roads and in canals, warning that caught disposing refuse in drainage channels and unauthorized places will contend with the provision of the State sanitation laws

He advised all residents to embrace waste separation, adding that we must all stop throwing everything away and start sorting as it is done in advanced countries.

The LAWMA boss disclosed plans to recruit 377 environmental health officers, aka wole-wole, as part of the new drive of the government to tame the waste challenge in the state. He said they will be empowered by law to arrest and prosecute offenders.

He said recruitment will begin from January 2026, and the officers will be deployed to each ward in the state.