Refuse Heaps: Agency donates 10 waste trucks to Lagos

….LAWMA evacuates 418,500 tonnes of waste in May

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS — The Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority has donated 10 brand-new waste compactor trucks to the Lagos State Government in a move aimed at strengthening waste management operations across the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a handover ceremony held on Tuesday, describing the gesture as a reflection of inter-ministerial collaboration and corporate social responsibility.

Wahab said the donation comes at a critical time when Lagos is intensifying efforts to manage over 13,000 tonnes of waste generated daily.

He said the state has already moved away from the traditional “collect-and-dump” approach to a more sustainable zero-waste model that prioritises recycling, reuse, and resource recovery.

According to him, the government has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding with local and international partners aimed at diverting about 5,000 metric tonnes daily from the waste stream.

“These 10 new compactors will be deployed strategically to high-generation areas and communities requiring improved evacuation services,” Wahab said.

He added that the vehicles would improve turnaround time, support monthly sanitation exercises, and contribute to maintaining a cleaner Lagos.

The commissioner commended the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Abiola Are, for the donation, saying it aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable city.

Wahab also urged other public institutions and private sector players to support government efforts, stressing that effective waste management requires collective responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) said it evacuated 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state in May 2026 through its network of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.

LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the figure translates to an average daily evacuation of about 13,200 tonnes, based on the agency’s May performance report.

He said the agency currently works with 442 active PSP operators, while 27 routes are under review to improve service efficiency and coverage.

Gbadegesin added that 173 waste blackspots—including road medians, markets, bus stops, and other public areas—were cleared during the period.

He also disclosed that LAWMA received 474 complaints and service requests in May, noting ongoing efforts to improve response times and customer service delivery.

According to him, the agency currently operates with 77 compactor trucks, five skip trucks, and 12 other equipment units deployed across the state.

Gbadegesin said ongoing reforms include route optimisation, stronger monitoring of PSP operators, infrastructure upgrades, equipment deployment, and enforcement against environmental violations.

He urged residents to patronise approved waste operators and avoid indiscriminate dumping, stressing that Lagos’ large population requires sustained investment and cooperation to maintain environmental cleanliness.

LAWMA reaffirmed its commitment to improving waste management services and building a more sustainable sanitation system for the state.

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