The Lagos State Waste Management Authority has hinted that waste management in the state can only be effective through the collaboration of all stakeholders.
The LAWMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this on Wednesday while delivering a paper at the annual conference of the Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria at the NECA House, Alausa, Lagos State.
Gbadegesin, who was represented by the LAWMA Executive Director of Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, described waste management as a critical urban governance issue with far-reaching implications for public health, flood control, environmental sustainability, and the overall functionality of the city.
According to a statement shared on the Facebook page of the agency on Wednesday, Gbadegesin explained that household waste collection across the state was carried out by licensed private sector participant operators under a structured, area-based system.
He noted that the system was regulated and monitored by LAWMA, with over 450 operators serving communities across the state.
The statement continued, “He stressed that the effectiveness of the system depended not only on operational efficiency but also on the cooperation of residents in adopting proper waste disposal practices and patronising assigned PSP operators.
“He warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the patronage of illegal cart pushers continued to undermine structured waste management efforts and contributed to environmental challenges such as blocked drainage and flooding.
“Dr Gbadegesin added that as a coastal and highly urbanised city, Lagos must adopt a more disciplined and forward-looking approach to waste management, noting that improperly handled waste often ended up in canals, lagoons, and other water bodies.”
The statement noted that the LAWMA GM noted that “beyond evacuation, the state was gradually promoting more sustainable waste practices, including waste sorting, recycling, and resource recovery, as part of a broader shift towards a more efficient and value-driven waste management system.”
According to the statement, the approach reflected a growing recognition that waste should not be seen solely as a disposal problem but also as a resource that could support economic activity and environmental sustainability when properly managed.
Gbadegesin highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen system efficiency through improved monitoring, operational interventions, and better coordination among PSP operators and other stakeholders in the waste management value chain.
He urged the media to provide more context in reporting waste management issues and to promote responsible environmental practices.
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