Environmental stakeholders for Lagos State don dey sound alarm say di waste management crisis for di city need urgent action. Dem tok say stronger collaboration, better policy enforcement, and active public participation na di only way we go fit tackle di mounting waste problems wey dey affect di megacity.
Di call come during di annual conference of di Property and Environment Writers Association of Nigeria wey dem hold with di theme “Waste Management: Challenges, Policy Framework and Solution for Sustainable Megacity.” Experts warn say di waste burden for Lagos require coordinated action before e go pass hand.
Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, yarn say effective waste management for Lagos must be treat as shared responsibility wey involve residents, operators, and government agencies. Gbadegesin wey dem represent by di agency Executive Director for Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, describe waste management as “critical urban governance issue wey get far-reaching implications for public health, flood control, environmental sustainability and di overall functionality of di city.”
Gbadegesin explain say household waste collection across di state dey handle by licensed Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators under structured, area-based system wey LAWMA dey regulate. “Over 450 PSP operators dey serve communities across Lagos, but di effectiveness of dis system depend not only on operational efficiency but also on residents wey dey comply with proper waste disposal practices and patronise assigned operators,” im tok.
Gbadegesin warn say indiscriminate dumping of refuse and continued use of illegal cart pushers dey undermine structured waste management efforts. “These practices contribute significantly to blocked drainage systems and recurring flooding, especially for coastal and highly urbanised city like Lagos,” im add.
Im note say improperly managed waste often find im way enter canals, lagoons and other water bodies, wey dey worsen environmental degradation. According to am, di state dey gradually shift towards more sustainable practices like waste sorting, recycling and resource recovery. “There is growing recognition say waste no suppose dey see merely as disposal problem but as resource wey fit support economic activity and environmental sustainability when dem harness am properly,” Gbadegesin yarn.
Im also highlight ongoing efforts to improve efficiency through better monitoring, operational interventions and stronger coordination among stakeholders for di waste management value chain. Im urge di media to play more active role for shaping public attitudes, say, “Journalists must provide context for their reporting and help promote responsible environmental behaviour.”
President of di Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, wey also speak for di event, stress say waste management dey directly link to public health and environmental safety. “Poor waste management contribute to diseases like malaria, cholera and Lassa fever through blocked drainage, pest infestation and environmental pollution,” Adebola tok.
Im warn against open burning of waste, note say e dey release toxic and carcinogenic substances. “This pose serious health risks, including respiratory illnesses and cancer,” im yarn, add say plastic waste present another growing threat. “Mismanaged plastics break down into microplastics wey dey contaminate water bodies and ultimately enter di food chain.”
Adebola disclose say Lagos generate over 20,000 metric tons of waste daily, wey rapid urbanisation and population growth dey drive. Im identify key challenges as inadequate infrastructure, weak policy implementation, poor waste segregation and limited funding. “Inefficient landfill systems and di absence of functional material recovery facilities continue to limit effective waste processing,” im yarn, lament say pollution levels for parts of di city, including Ikeja, don reach alarming levels, with both shallow and deeper aquifers affected.
Im call for increased investment for modern recycling systems and material recovery facilities, as well as di formalisation of informal waste collectors to improve efficiency and inclusiveness. “We must also address di lack of effective waste segregation and ensure say policies no be only formulate but dem implement am properly,” im add.
Adebola urge government to create sustainable financing frameworks to attract private sector participation. “There is need for long-term funding mechanisms, including structured fund wey private operators fit access over 15 to 20 years, supported by infrastructure payment options,” im yarn. Im further emphasise di importance of public education and consistent policy enforcement for driving behavioural change.
Participants for di conference express optimism say sustained engagement among stakeholders go help reposition Lagos towards cleaner, more resilient and sustainable megacity, while dem urge continuous collaboration to tackle di environmental challenges wey dey confront di state.
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