The Lagos waste crisis worsened after Olusosun landfill closure forced longer haulage routes, prompting emergency intervention by the state government
The Lagos State Government, on Monday, attributed the Lagos waste crisis in parts of the state to the ongoing decommissioning of the Olusosun landfill, which has disrupted refuse disposal logistics and stretched evacuation timelines.
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The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in Lagos in a statement published on his official X account, assuring residents that urgent corrective measures were already underway.
Tokunbo Wahab explained that waste previously deposited at the Olusosun landfill was now being transported to alternative sites in Epe and Badagry following the phased shutdown of the facility.
He said the longer haulage distances had significantly increased turnaround time for some Private Sector Participation operators, placing temporary strain on the waste management system.
The commissioner noted that these logistical pressures had resulted in delayed waste evacuation in certain neighbourhoods, leading to visible accumulation at identified locations.
To stabilise the situation, Tokunbo Wahab said the Lagos Waste Management Authority had been directed to intervene immediately in areas where Private Sector Participation operators were overwhelmed.
He stated that intervention activities were ongoing, particularly at major black spots across the state, describing the response as decisive and necessary to prevent further deterioration.
The commissioner added that discussions were ongoing on the procurement and deployment of additional waste evacuation trucks to strengthen LAWMA’s operational capacity and improve response time.
On enforcement, Tokunbo Wahab disclosed that the state government had established a dedicated task force to combat illegal roadside dumping and indiscriminate waste disposal.
He said the task force would conduct round-the-clock surveillance and enforcement, targeting illegal trading activities that often result in refuse being dumped on road medians and public spaces.
Tokunbo Wahab urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and to patronise only approved Private Sector Participation operators, while assuring that the government was fully addressing the Lagos waste crisis.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused, he reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a cleaner, more orderly and sustainable city.
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The development comes after authorities arrested three individuals for illegally dumping refuse along the Ikotun Igando Road median during early morning enforcement operations carried out by the LAWMA Waste Infractions Surveillance and Investigation Team.
