The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reintroduce monthly environmental sanitation exercises as part of renewed efforts to address the state’s escalating waste management challenges.
Eko Hot News reports that the plan was disclosed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, during a recent briefing on the state’s waste control strategy.
Gbadegesin revealed that Lagos currently generates between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes of waste daily from over four million households, placing immense pressure on existing waste collection and disposal systems.
He noted that Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators are presently able to collect only about 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of waste per day, leaving a large volume of refuse uncollected and often dumped in drains, canals, wetlands, and lagoons.
According to him, the proposed return of monthly environmental sanitation will help restore community responsibility, promote cleaner neighbourhoods, and discourage indiscriminate waste disposal across the state.
To strengthen waste collection at the grassroots, the Lagos State Government plans to procure about 500 mobile tricycle compactors in 2026 to support waste evacuation in densely populated and hard-to-reach areas.
Gbadegesin explained that Lagos requires no fewer than 2,000 compactors to effectively manage waste, stressing that gaps still exist across the waste management value chain, from collection to final disposal.
He added that the state is also deploying smart waste infrastructure, with about 80,000 waste bins already rolled out, though he admitted the figure remains inadequate for a megacity of Lagos’ size.
The LAWMA boss emphasised that nearly 90 per cent of waste generated in Lagos has economic value, urging residents to embrace waste sorting and support the state’s waste-to-wealth initiative.
He said the government is transitioning from a linear waste disposal system to a circular and sustainable model that treats waste as a valuable resource while reducing reliance on landfills.
Gbadegesin also called on residents to pay waste management bills promptly, noting that regular payments are essential for PSP operators to sustain efficient service delivery.
In a bid to improve performance, he disclosed that LAWMA has disengaged 22 underperforming PSP operators, with their routes reassigned to more capable firms to ensure better service coverage.
He further stated that the agency will intensify collaboration with local government chairmen to strengthen community-level waste management, regulate street trading, and enforce environmental laws.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to improving sanitation, protecting public health, and ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable environment for residents.
Authorities said the reintroduction of monthly sanitation and investment in new waste compactors are key steps toward addressing the state’s growing waste burden and enhancing overall environmental hygiene.
