The Lagos State Government has restored operations at the Igando dumpsite, with waste managers promising improved collection across affected communities.
The facility is expected to receive at least 100 waste trucks daily, easing disposal challenges across Lagos West.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this during an inspection of the facility in Igando on Wednesday.
Wahab said that the dumpsite, which was previously shut down, was being restored following engagements between the ministry and waste operators.
He said that the intervention formed part of the government’s emergency response to waste management challenges, alongside plans to develop additional disposal facilities in Badagry and Epe.
According to him, Igando will serve Lagos West, the state’s largest geographical zone, while Olusosun will cater for the eastern part of the state.
“If this place achieves what we intend to achieve with it, it shows this address can have at least 100 trucks a day coming to discharge,” he said.
Wahab urged Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to improve collection services, particularly in communities where residents had complained about irregular waste evacuation.
“Once they pay for a service, let the PSP operators do the right thing. The right thing is to collect the waste,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Olugbenga Adebola, National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), promised significant improvement in waste collection across the Alimosho axis.
Adebola said that the restored facility would ease operators’ difficulties in accessing disposal sites, which had forced some to transport waste outside Lagos.
“Some months ago, operators had to travel to Sagamu to dump waste. That is over 120 kilometres outside Lagos,” he said.
Adebola said that the association would direct its members to intensify operations and take advantage of the restored facility.
He disclosed that the association had close to 700 trucks in its fleet, adding that functional disposal facilities were essential for efficient waste collection and transportation.
The AWAMN president appealed to the state government to rehabilitate three other proposed disposal facilities in Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry.
He said that the Igando intervention was one of about four disposal sites the association had proposed for rehabilitation.
Adebola commended the government for providing bulldozers and other equipment to improve operations at the facility.
He, however, said that waste disposal challenges would persist in some areas, particularly Ikorodu, where the dumpsite had remained closed since mid- September.
Speaking about the importance of the intervention, LAWMA’s Executive Director Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi said that the rehabilitation of Solus III and the accompanying operational arrangements underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening waste management infrastructure, improving disposal capacity and ensuring more efficient waste evacuation across Lagos State.
He urged PSP operators to comply with the new operational arrangements and work collaboratively with government to sustain the improvements and deliver a cleaner, healthier and more liveable Lagos.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, General Manager, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, and LAWMA’s Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi.
