The Lagos State Government has attributed the recent piles of uncollected refuse in some parts of the metropolis to the phased shutdown of the Olusosun landfill, a process that has disrupted existing waste disposal arrangements across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known in a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, where he reassured residents that measures were already in place to tackle the challenge.
Wahab explained that waste which was formerly dumped at Olusosun is now being redirected to landfill sites in Epe and Badagry, a development that has slowed operations for some Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators due to longer travel times.
“The ongoing decommissioning of the Olusosun landfill has necessitated a significant shift in waste disposal logistics. Refuse previously destined for Olusosun is now being transported to alternative facilities in Epe and Badagry,” he said.
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He noted that the extended distances involved in hauling waste had put temporary strain on evacuation activities, resulting in delays in certain neighbourhoods.
To ease the pressure, the commissioner said the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had been instructed to intervene in locations where PSP operators were struggling to cope.
“LAWMA has been directed to provide immediate support in areas where PSP operators are overwhelmed. Intervention activities are actively ongoing, particularly at identified black spots across the state,” he stated.
Wahab further disclosed that talks were underway to acquire and deploy more trucks in order to boost response time and strengthen LAWMA’s operational capacity.
On enforcement efforts, he revealed that a special task force had been inaugurated to curb illegal dumping and indiscriminate disposal of refuse along roadsides.
“A dedicated Task Force has been established to specifically combat illegal roadside dumping and indiscriminate waste disposal caused majorly by illegal roadside trading,” he said, adding that the unit would maintain round-the-clock monitoring and enforcement.
The commissioner appealed to residents to dispose of their waste properly and engage only approved PSP operators, while assuring them that the state government was working to resolve the issues.
“While we take full responsibility for these inconveniences, let me assure all Lagosians that this administration is fully committed to the vision of a cleaner, more orderly, and sustainable city,” Wahab said.
He also recalled that the state government had earlier arrested three persons for unlawfully dumping refuse along the median of the Ikotun–Igando Road.
According to Wahab, the suspects were apprehended during early morning operations carried out on Monday by the LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team, as part of sustained efforts to clear waste black spots along the corridor.
