The Lagos State Government has explained that the recent build-up of refuse in some parts of the state is mainly due to the ongoing decommissioning of the Olusosun landfill, which has disrupted normal waste disposal operations.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the explanation in a statement shared on his official X handle on Monday, assuring residents that the situation was being actively addressed.
Wahab said waste that was previously taken to the Olusosun landfill is now being redirected to alternative sites in Epe and Badagry. According to him, this change has increased travel time for waste trucks operated by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, leading to delays in refuse evacuation in some areas.
He noted that the longer distances involved have placed temporary strain on the waste management system, resulting in the accumulation of refuse at a few locations across the state.
To manage the challenge, Wahab said the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had been directed to step in and support PSP operators where necessary. He added that intervention efforts were already ongoing, especially in identified waste blackspots.
The commissioner also disclosed that discussions were underway to procure and deploy additional waste collection trucks to improve response time and strengthen LAWMA’s operational capacity.
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On enforcement, Wahab revealed that a special task force had been set up to tackle illegal roadside dumping and indiscriminate waste disposal, which he said is often linked to unregulated roadside trading. The task force, he explained, will operate round-the-clock surveillance and enforcement across the state.
He urged residents to dispose of their waste responsibly and ensure they patronise only approved PSP operators, while apologising for the inconvenience caused.
Wahab assured Lagosians that the state government remains fully committed to achieving a cleaner, more orderly and sustainable environment despite the current challenges.
