Investigative findings prompt Lagos Waste Management Authority to launch specialized waste enforcement squad

Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, has unveiled a coordinated waste police initiative, bringing together key stakeholders such as transport unions and community groups to bolster environmental compliance and deter illegal dumping, as announced in a statement by LAWMA on Tuesday.

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This development comes on the heels of intensified enforcement by the government against indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental infractions, according to Gbadegesin, who stressed the importance of a collaborative approach to addressing these issues.

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Residents in areas such as Ikotun, Idimu, Ejigbo, and Egbeda in Lagos State had previously expressed concerns about the rampant dumping and accumulation of refuse along streets and major roads, which they described as an eyesore, prompting the government to take action.

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Gbadegesin also revealed that the government is exploring inter-state collaboration to enhance existing waste disposal infrastructure, improve operational flexibility, and support more efficient waste evacuation across Lagos State, as part of its efforts to strengthen waste management services.

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The government is taking a multifaceted approach to address waste management challenges, with Gbadegesin assuring residents that comprehensive measures are being implemented to improve waste evacuation, including efforts to strengthen operational efficiency, expand waste management infrastructure, and enhance environmental sanitation.

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Gbadegesin acknowledged the operational challenges affecting waste evacuation in some parts of the state, attributing recent pressures partly to challenges associated with access to disposal facilities, particularly during the peak of the rainy season, and assured residents that immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions are being implemented.

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LAWMA's waste-to-wealth partner, ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, has begun preliminary work to rehabilitate and reopen Road E at the Olusosun facility, a key intervention aimed at improving access, shortening turnaround time, and boosting operational efficiency at the site, according to Gbadegesin.

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The authority has also resuscitated and optimised the use of Transfer Loading Stations across the state as a stop-gap measure to facilitate quicker evacuation of waste from communities while ongoing infrastructure improvements continue, as part of its efforts to enhance waste management services.

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The government is taking steps to support the acquisition of additional waste collection vehicles by PSP operators, with the expected deployment of 100 Compressed Natural Gas compactor trucks set to significantly boost waste evacuation capacity across Lagos, and 10 new compactor trucks donated by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Board already deployed to strengthen waste collection operations.

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Despite operational challenges, LAWMA's disposal facilities received over 418,500 tonnes of waste in May 2026, with 3,000 blackspots being cleared daily through ongoing sanitation interventions, as the government continues to invest in infrastructure, equipment, and operational improvements aimed at strengthening service delivery across the state.

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The ongoing construction of new Transfer Loading Stations at Olusosun and Solous III is expected to collectively divert up to 4,000 tonnes of waste daily to recycling and treatment facilities upon completion, significantly reducing pressure on disposal sites and advancing the state's circular economy objectives.

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Gbadegesin urged residents to continue to patronise approved PSP operators, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, and support ongoing government efforts to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment, as efforts are underway to resolve current operational challenges and improve service delivery.

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Residents in areas such as Ikotun, Idimu, Ejigbo, and Egbeda in Lagos State had previously complained about the indiscriminate dumping and accumulation of refuse along streets and major roads, describing the situation as an eyesore, prompting the government to take action to address these concerns.

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The Lagos Waste Management Authority had announced that its licensed Private Sector Participation operators evacuated 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state in May, averaging 13,200 tonnes daily, as part of its efforts to improve waste management services and maintain a cleaner environment.