Why Lagos is battling waste problems — Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has highlighted the growing waste management issues in the city, attributing them to factors such as excessive waste generation, insufficient functional waste collection trucks, and challenges faced by private waste operators. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is responsible for waste management in the state, but it is dealing with a higher volume of refuse than initially estimated.

Initially, the state government estimated that Lagos generated about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, but later found that the figure was closer to 17,000 tonnes.

Hamzat revealed that the discrepancy between the estimated and actual waste volume has made it challenging for the government to effectively plan and manage refuse collection throughout the city. Accurate data is crucial for proper waste management, as the government cannot plan for a problem it cannot accurately measure. He further emphasized the need for people to organize themselves and plan for the waste generated, especially considering the contribution of street dwellers and scavengers to the waste problem.

Another significant challenge identified by Hamzat is the shortage of functional waste collection trucks. The state has around 420 private sector participants involved in waste collection, each expected to have at least two trucks as per their agreement with the government. However, many operators now lack the required number of trucks due to vehicle unavailability and business closures.

Additionally, the rising cost of diesel has affected the operations of private waste collectors, with some operators requesting an increase in tariffs. The government, however, rejected the tariff increase but agreed to provide additional financial support to the operators.

The Deputy Governor also mentioned that a significant number of existing waste collection trucks are no longer fit for use, leading the state to order new vehicles. Lagos has 57 local government areas and local council development areas, with two trucks planned for each area, totaling 114 vehicles. The state government ordered an additional 100 trucks to strengthen waste collection operations, but the delivery delay has contributed to the current challenges in waste management.

Hamzat concluded by stating that it would be unfair to solely blame LAWMA for the worsening waste situation. He acknowledged the need for the state government to take responsibility and work towards addressing the challenges, improve waste collection, and deliver the promised new trucks.