Lagos seeks stronger regulation, collaboration with waste managers

The Lagos State Government on Thursday reiterated its commitment to strengthening the regulation of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators and improve waste collection, transportation and disposal across the State.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during a meeting with the executive members of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) as part of ongoing efforts to address operational challenges affecting the State’s waste management system.

The meeting provided an opportunity for government and waste management operators to review developments across the waste management value chain, particularly the condition of dumpsites, challenges faced by PSP operators and measures required to improve efficiency while reducing turnaround time for waste collection and disposal.

Wahab stressed that all stakeholders in the sector must work towards the same objective of achieving an effective, efficient and sustainable waste management system in Lagos, noting that government would continue to engage operators to identify challenges and develop practical solutions.

The Commissioner while acknowledging recent improvements at the landfill sites emphasised the need for further interventions to make the facilities fully functional and sustainable.

He also reiterated the importance of proper access roads, drainage, operational platforms and adequate facilities to facilitate the smooth movement of waste trucks within the dumpsites.

He noted that ongoing improvements at the Solous dumpsite would significantly reduce pressure on other disposal locations, particularly those serving the Alimosho, Ikotun-Ejigbo, Ayobo and surrounding areas, while also reducing the turnaround time for PSP operators and enabling them to provide more efficient service to residents.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the State Government was examining ways to improve the financial sustainability of PSP operations, including cost recovery and appropriate adjustments that would enable operators to deliver services efficiently stressing that improved financial arrangements must be matched by accountability, transparency and effective service delivery.

“No PSP operator should use the challenges at the dumpsites or other operational difficulties as an excuse for failing to provide the required services to residents” he said

The Commissioner called on AWAMN to strengthen its internal regulation and ensure that every PSP operator meets its contractual obligations, maintains its fleet and provides consistent waste collection services within its assigned areas.

He also supported the request for environmental officers to be attached to wards as proposed by the association to monitor waste management activities at the community level.

He explained that such officers would help ensure that household waste is properly collected, payments for waste services are made, PSP operators perform efficiently and residents are continuously sensitised on proper waste disposal practices.

Wahab said effective enforcement would also be critical to ensuring that residents patronise designated PSP operators and desist from indiscriminate disposal of waste on roads and other unauthorised locations.

He urged the association to submit its recommendations on sustainable waste management, including proposals covering enforcement, cost recovery, waste treatment, disposal and regulation of PSP operators, for further consideration by the government.

Responding, the President of AWAMN, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, commended the Ministry and it leadership for his commitment and personal intervention in addressing challenges within the waste management sector.

Adebola said the association had responded to the government’s directives by inspecting disposal sites and engaging contractors to undertake improvement works at some of the dumpsite locations.

He disclosed that the association had also worked with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) team to identify infrastructure and operational requirements at the dumpsites.

He explained that some of the access roads had been opened up and improved, while further work, including stone-base reinforcement, was required to ensure that the roads remain functional during the rainy season and under the weight of heavy waste trucks.

The AWAMN President also called for increased attention to the management and maintenance of disposal facilities, noting that adequate operational platforms and equipment were essential to improving turnaround time and preventing unnecessary delays for waste trucks.

Adebola disclosed that the association had established a dumpsite committee to work with relevant government agencies in monitoring activities at disposal facilities and developing solutions to operational challenges.

On PSP operations, Adebola said the association was ready to work with the State Government to develop a comprehensive and sustainable waste management framework that would go beyond collection and transportation to encompass disposal, waste treatment, enforcement and cost recovery.

Present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr Mahamood Adegbite, Executive Director Finance LAWMA, Mr Kunle Adebiyi as well as Directors in the Ministry.