Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has launched a multi-pronged offensive to tackle the mounting refuse crisis across the metropolis, rolling out a series of emergency measures that include the deployment of 100 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactor trucks, the reopening of a critical access road at the Olusosun dumpsite, and the establishment of a specialised “Waste Police” unit to enforce environmental compliance. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, announced the comprehensive intervention on Monday, June 22, 2026, in response to the recent build-up of refuse that has drawn widespread public criticism and prompted a direct order from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to scale up evacuation operations across the state.
The operation is a direct response to a refuse backlog that had overwhelmed parts of Lagos, with heaps of uncollected waste occupying roads, medians, and residential streets in areas including Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, Alimosho, and Ikotun. Governor Sanwo-Olu had earlier directed an “immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across Lagos,” mobilising LAWMA, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Ministry of Environment to work around the clock. Dr. Gbadegesin, in a statement on Tuesday, June 23, acknowledged the operational challenges that had hindered waste collection, attributing them in part to difficulties in accessing disposal facilities, particularly during the peak of the rainy season. He assured residents that the government was actively implementing “immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions” to restore optimal service delivery.
A critical component of the intervention is the reopening of Road E at the Olusosun disposal facility, the state’s largest landfill. According to LAWMA’s waste-to-wealth partner, ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, preliminary works have commenced to stabilise and reopen the road, a move expected to significantly improve access for waste trucks, reduce turnaround time, and enhance overall operational efficiency at the site. The authority has also resuscitated and optimised the use of Transfer Loading Stations (TLSs) across the state as a stop-gap measure to facilitate quicker evacuation of waste from communities while ongoing infrastructure improvements continue. New Transfer Loading Stations are under construction at Olusosun and Solous III, which, upon completion, will collectively divert up to 4,000 tonnes of waste daily to recycling and treatment facilities, reducing pressure on disposal sites and advancing the state’s circular economy agenda.
To further boost capacity, the state government is supporting the acquisition of additional waste collection vehicles by Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators. The planned deployment of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactor trucks is expected to significantly increase waste evacuation capacity statewide. Additionally, 10 new compactor trucks donated by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Board have already been deployed to strengthen collection operations. In a related development, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated a coordinated “Waste Police” initiative, involving key stakeholders, including transport unions and community groups, to strengthen environmental compliance and discourage illegal dumping. The initiative follows a recent attack on LAWMA enforcement officers by suspected illegal waste operators along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, underscoring the need for a more robust enforcement mechanism.
Dr. Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA’s disposal facilities received over 418,500 tonnes of waste in May 2026 despite the operational challenges, with an average daily evacuation of 13,200 tonnes. The authority is also clearing about 3,000 waste blackspots daily through ongoing sanitation interventions. He noted that the government is exploring inter-state collaboration to complement existing waste disposal infrastructure, improve operational flexibility, and support more efficient waste evacuation across the state. The LAWMA boss urged residents to continue to patronise approved PSP operators, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, and support ongoing government efforts to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment. He reassured residents that the current operational challenges were being actively addressed and that service levels would improve progressively as the various interventions took effect.
The renewed push comes amid a broader escalation of the state’s war on waste, with the government also announcing plans to establish a dedicated “Waste Police” force to enforce sanitation rules and crack down on indiscriminate dumping. The announcement follows a recent judgment by an Ogun State Magistrate Court sentencing eight individuals to community service for indiscriminate waste disposal, highlighting a growing judicial resolve to tackle environmental offences. For the millions of Lagosians who have endured weeks of accumulating refuse, the promise of 100 new trucks and a reopened dumpsite road offers a glimmer of relief. Whether the multi-pronged intervention will restore order to the city’s waste management system remains to be seen. But for now, LAWMA has signalled that the era of mounting blackspots may soon be coming to an end.
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