LAWMA Promises Swift End to Lagos Waste Backlog
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has assured residents that the heaps of refuse that have accumulated in parts of the state will soon be cleared, adding that ongoing interventions are already improving waste evacuation and disposal operations.
The reassurance comes after weeks of complaints from residents and businesses over overflowing waste bins and refuse piles on major roads, markets and residential areas, following disruptions at key disposal sites caused by heavy rainfall and operational challenges.
Speaking during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Road E and newly constructed disposal platforms at the Olusosun Disposal Facility in Ojota, LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the projects would significantly improve access for waste trucks and speed up refuse evacuation across Lagos.
According to him, the newly reclaimed section of the facility will provide additional temporary dumping space while the authority continues work on its long-term transition plan, including the construction of transfer loading stations and modern waste management infrastructure.
Gbadegesin explained that improving access within the Olusosun facility would remove one of the biggest bottlenecks affecting waste collection, enabling refuse trucks to return to regular operations and helping to eliminate the backlog that has built up in recent weeks.
The waste management agency acknowledged that recent flooding around the Olusosun dumpsite made it difficult for compactor trucks to access disposal points, forcing many Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators to divert to satellite sites in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry. While some operators continued their services, the disruption slowed collection across several parts of the state.
To address the challenge, LAWMA said the Lagos State Government is investing in additional disposal facilities, transfer loading stations and material recovery centres that will reduce pressure on existing landfills while promoting recycling and resource recovery. The authority also noted that more compactor trucks are being introduced to strengthen waste collection across the metropolis.
Gbadegesin urged residents to continue bagging and storing their waste properly instead of dumping refuse on roadsides or drainage channels during collection delays. He also encouraged households and businesses to pay their PSP operators promptly and report service lapses through LAWMA’s customer service channels for quicker intervention.
The latest assurance comes amid growing public concern over the environmental and health risks posed by uncollected refuse, particularly during the rainy season when blocked drains increase the risk of flooding and disease outbreaks. Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged waste accumulation could worsen sanitation challenges if not addressed swiftly.
With the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure at the Olusosun Disposal Facility now completed and additional operational measures being rolled out, LAWMA says Lagos residents should begin to see noticeable improvements in waste collection as the agency intensifies efforts to restore a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
