Lagos: The Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) is set to acquire 500 mobile tricycle compactors in 2026 to address the escalating waste management issues in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, LAWMA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made this announcement during a media parley in Lagos.
Gbadegesin highlighted that the tricycle compactors, which are already operational in hard-to-reach areas like Ibeju Lekki, will soon be deployed across other parts of the state to enhance waste management efforts. He emphasized the state’s need for at least 2,000 compactors to effectively manage the increasing waste problem, exacerbated by both human activities and infrastructure challenges.
The state, home to four million households, currently generates between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes of waste daily. However, the 450 Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators responsible for waste collection can only manage between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes daily. The uncollected waste often ends up in drains, canals, lagoons, and wetlands, posing environmental risks.
Gbadegesin urged residents to support the government’s waste-to-wealth initiative and refrain from indiscriminate dumping of waste. He noted that around 90% of the waste generated could be repurposed, but the state faces space constraints for new landfill sites due to its aquatic nature.
He described the transition from a linear to a sustainable waste management system, where waste is increasingly viewed as a resource. This shift aims to minimize landfill waste significantly. Gbadegesin also stressed the importance of infrastructure, including equipment and facilities for waste collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal.
He mentioned the rollout of 80,000 smart bins but acknowledged the need for more to cater to the four million households in Lagos. Residents were encouraged to regularly pay their waste management bills, ensuring more efficient operations by PSP operators.
Gbadegesin revealed that 22 PSP operators had their contracts terminated and reassigned to other companies due to ineffective service delivery, underscoring the agency’s commitment to improving waste management standards.