Why Lagos is battling waste problems — Hamzat

Lagos is grappling with severe waste management issues, according to Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. The Deputy Governor attributes the worsening situation to a surge in waste production, a shortage of functional waste collection trucks, and difficulties in managing the private waste operators. Initially, the Lagos Waste Management Authority estimated the daily waste generation at 13,000 tonnes, but later discovered the figure to be closer to 17,000 tonnes.

This discrepancy has made it challenging for the government to accurately plan and manage refuse collection across the state. Hamzat highlighted the need for accurate data to effectively manage the waste problem, as measuring what cannot be accurately measured is difficult. He also noted that people living and working on the streets contribute to the waste volume, further complicating the situation.

Additionally, the state has about 420 private sector participants involved in waste collection, each expected to have at least two functional trucks. However, many of these operators now lack the required number of trucks due to non-functionality and business shutdowns. The rising cost of diesel has also affected private waste collectors' operations, leading to some operators requesting an increase in their tariffs.

The state government rejected the proposed tariff increase but agreed to provide additional financial support. The Deputy Governor also revealed that a significant number of existing waste collection trucks are no longer usable, prompting the government to order new vehicles. Lagos, with 57 local government areas and local council development areas, was initially planned to receive 114 trucks, but the delivery has been delayed to September.

The Deputy Governor acknowledged that it would be unfair to blame LAWMA alone for the worsening waste situation and emphasized the state's efforts to address the challenges and improve waste collection across the city.