…Strengthens surveillance, enforcement and sustained advocacy to promote responsible waste disposal across Lagos
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is strengthening its enforcement strategy against indiscriminate waste disposal through an agreed partnership with the Lagos State Command Centre to monitor environmental infractions within the command’s coverage area, alongside plans to deploy its own surveillance cameras at strategic locations across the State.
Speaking during an interview on Lagos Talks 91.3 FM on Monday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the initiatives would complement ongoing enforcement and advocacy efforts aimed at curbing illegal dumping and promoting responsible waste-disposal habits.
He explained that while improved waste collection infrastructure was essential, achieving a cleaner Lagos also required sustained efforts to change entrenched public behaviour, stressing that enforcement remained critical to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Gbadegesin noted that the planned installation of LAWMA-owned cameras at strategic locations would strengthen surveillance, deter environmental infractions and support the identification of offenders for appropriate action in accordance with the law.
He cited feedback from Adegboyega, a resident of Mushin, who acknowledged seeing LAWMA’s new compactors operating in the area, noting that visible service delivery, public awareness and consistent enforcement must work together to improve environmental sanitation.
The Managing Director also disclosed that the arrival of 150 new waste trucks would strengthen waste collection and evacuation across Lagos, while the Authority’s house-to-house intervention was addressing accumulated waste following the disengagement of non-performing Private Sector Participants (PSPs).
He urged residents to patronise approved waste collection services, package their waste properly and report illegal dumping, emphasising that the provision of more trucks and improved infrastructure must be matched by responsible public conduct.
On waste-to-energy initiative, he highlighted the potential of converting organic waste into useful energy, including electricity, as part of the State’s broader drive towards resource recovery and a circular economy.
He referenced the State Steering Committee established to advance the proposed biogas plant, alongside broader plans to develop waste-to-energy solutions that could reduce dependence on conventional waste disposal methods and recover value from waste.
He added that the Authority was equally pursuing improvements to waste transfer and resource recovery infrastructure, including Transfer Loading Stations and Material Recovery Facilities, to strengthen waste handling, sorting and recycling.
He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to combining technology, stronger enforcement, public advocacy and improved service delivery to discourage illegal dumping and support the collective effort towards achieving a cleaner Lagos.
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