Sanwo-Olu declares ‘state of emergency’ on waste management in Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared a "small state of emergency" on waste management across the state, following an inspection of the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota. Accompanied by Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat and Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, the governor identified operational challenges at the dumpsite and plans to deploy measures to address the waste management crisis.

Acknowledging the recent pressure on waste collection, leading to indiscriminate dumping, Sanwo-Olu stated that the declaration is necessary to restore effective waste collection and disposal in Lagos. The state government intends to increase the daily intake capacity at Olusosun from 250-350 trucks to 350-450 trucks by adding up to five active tipping points.

Interventions will also be implemented at other disposal sites, including Solu 3, Iwulepe, Oke-Osho, and Erikitte in Badagry, aiming to have four active dump sites within six weeks. This strategy aims to improve the efficiency of trucks on roads, preventing them from spending extended periods at a single dump site.