Lagos State Acquires 220 Extra Trucks for Waste Collection, Hamzat Confirms

Lagos State is set to significantly enhance its waste management infrastructure, with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat confirming the acquisition of an additional 220 trucks dedicated to refuse evacuation. This development follows closely on the heels of an earlier announcement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, just two months prior, regarding the imminent arrival of 150 compactor trucks aimed at improving waste collection. Mr. Hamzat shared this update with reporters during the routine monthly environmental sanitation exercise conducted in Festac, located within the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, on Saturday.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that these new vehicles are intended to bolster the current waste collection efforts carried out by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. He further explained that the expanded fleet would enable the state government to more effectively address the increasing quantities of refuse produced throughout Lagos, a direct consequence of its expanding population. Hamzat explicitly stated, “The state government will be bringing in another 220 trucks to make sure that we supplement our PSP. What we need our people to also do is to make sure that they patronise their PSP, not the cart pushers, because they are not organised. You don’t know where the waste is ending up.”

When questioned about the prevailing waste challenges in Lagos, Mr. Hamzat pointed out that the continuous influx of individuals residing and working in the state inevitably leads to higher daily waste generation. He underscored the critical role of residents' collaboration in achieving efficient waste management. He reiterated, “A lot of people are coming to Lagos, and therefore they generate waste. So part of what you can see that we are doing is that we are getting many more trucks to actually go and evacuate.”

The Deputy Governor also highlighted the responsibility of residents to ensure proper waste disposal, warning that refuse discarded into canals could impede water flow and exacerbate flood situations. According to Hamzat, the state administration is actively promoting regular environmental sanitation initiatives within communities throughout Lagos, with the objective of encouraging residents to tidy their immediate environments at least monthly. He passionately declared, “We cannot be a people without a healthy environment. It doesn’t matter what we do, a cleaner environment is what makes a city or a state sustainable.”

Furthermore, Hamzat implored citizens to embrace personal accountability for keeping their vicinities clean and to utilize officially sanctioned waste collection methods. He elaborated that the government's outreach to communities is designed to cultivate a habit of cleanliness among residents, thereby fostering a healthier living space for children and the wider populace. Regarding environmental stewardship specifically in the Festac area, Hamzat acknowledged the Federal Housing Authority's (FHA) duties within the district. However, he clarified that both residents and property management entities in Festac are still obligated to adhere to all environmental regulations set forth by the Lagos State Government. He firmly asserted the state government's unwavering dedication to guaranteeing a sustainable and habitable environment for its inhabitants. Hamzat extended commendation to the local government chairman and the residents for their active involvement in the sanitation drive, emphasizing that community participation is vital for upholding environmental tidiness throughout Lagos.

In a related statement, Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, reported notable improvements in the state's waste management framework. He attributed this progress to the implementation of round-the-clock emergency response units and strategic interventions aimed at resolving issues at landfills and dumpsites. Commissioner Wahab further indicated that the state government has stepped up its collaboration with PSP operators to enhance waste collection services statewide. He mentioned that the government has even extended its intervention to localities typically outside the operational scope of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

He conveyed the government's assurance of support to PSP operators to facilitate better waste collection. Concurrently, he reminded residents of their obligation to pay for services received, in adherence to the 'polluter-pays' principle. This payment structure, according to the commissioner, aims to guarantee that PSP operators receive sufficient backing while residents benefit from the services they fund. Mr. Wahab also highlighted the government's ongoing shift from a conventional linear waste management model, which involves mere collection and disposal, towards a circular economy approach where waste is recovered and transformed into valuable resources. This transition, he explained, has already resulted in the establishment of material recovery facilities in Badagry and Epe, alongside new transfer stations in Soluyi and Olusosun.

Addressing the issue of cart pushers, the commissioner stated that while the government is engaging with them, it would refrain from implementing policies that might inadvertently generate more significant environmental and security problems down the line. Investigations, he revealed, have indicated that waste gathered by certain cart pushers is frequently discarded into drainage systems and road medians, exacerbating environmental degradation and flood risks. Furthermore, Wahab voiced apprehension regarding reports that connect some cart pushers to illicit activities, such as the unauthorized dismantling and theft of metal objects.