Lagos in Crisis: Governor Sanwo-Olu Declares Emergency on Waste Management

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially declared a state of emergency on waste management across the state, citing a pressing need to address severe refuse accumulation and significant delays in waste collection. The governor made this critical announcement on Wednesday during an inspection of the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota, Lagos, identifying immense pressure on the existing waste collection system and the pervasive issue of indiscriminate refuse dumping as primary concerns demanding immediate governmental intervention.

To alleviate immediate pressure, Governor Sanwo-Olu outlined plans to substantially increase the capacity of the Olusosun dumpsite. Its daily reception capability will be boosted from the current 250-350 trucks to between 350 and 450 trucks. Furthermore, the number of tipping points at the site is set to increase from two or three to four or five, a measure designed to significantly reduce the waiting times for trucks discharging waste. Complementing this, the government is actively working to reactivate and enhance other vital waste-receiving locations across the state. These include Solu 3 in Alimosho, Iwulepe in Ikorodu, Oke Osho in Epe, and Erikitte in Badagry, with the strategic goal of having at least four active dumpsites operational within approximately six weeks, including the developing Badagry location.

In terms of logistics and equipment, the state has placed orders for 160 new compactor trucks, with the first shipments expected to commence soon. Plans also include the procurement of additional landfill compactors. Furthermore, private waste management entities such as Zoomlion and operators under the Private Sector Participation (PSP) scheme will be acquiring additional trucks to bolster collection capacity. Governor Sanwo-Olu also revealed a comprehensive review of the current number of PSP operators in Lagos. This review aims to identify and remove operators who are no longer effectively providing waste collection services, thereby creating opportunities for new and efficient investors. The governor emphasized efficiency, stating, “We just don’t want to have 800 PSPs when it is actually only 400 that is effective.”

Beyond operational enhancements, Governor Sanwo-Olu issued a direct appeal to residents and property owners to diligently pay for waste collection services, underscoring the necessity of compensating operators for their crucial work. He issued a stern warning against the illegal dumping of refuse on roads, highways, and drainage channels, announcing an increase in enforcement measures. Environmental officers will be deployed to monitor both residents and waste operators, with offenders facing potential prosecution to ensure compliance and maintain public hygiene.

Looking towards the future, the governor unveiled ambitious long-term plans, including the development of two 2,400-metric-tonne transfer loading stations at Olusosun and Solu 3. These stations are designed to receive compacted waste before it is transported to dedicated material recovery facilities located at Oke Osho in Epe and Erikitte in Badagry for advanced sorting and processing. These significant projects are slated to become operational between the first and second quarters of 2027. Additionally, a major restructuring of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is planned, aimed at significantly increasing its field operations personnel. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the agency's current imbalance, noting, “Waste is outside on the street; it’s not in their offices.” He concluded by acknowledging that the escalating waste management challenges are partly attributable to Lagos’s rapid growth and the consequent increase in waste generation, stressing that effective solutions will require collective effort from the government, waste operators, and residents alike.