SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Lagos State Government has warned Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators to improve refuse collection across the state or face enforcement measures, following the reopening of the Solus and Olusun dumpsites after months of closure.
The government said it had fulfilled its responsibility by rehabilitating the affected facilities and their access roads, insisting that waste operators must now step up their services to address the growing refuse situation in residential areas.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning on Wednesday during an inspection of the rehabilitated Solus dumpsite in Alimosho Local Government Area.
Wahab expressed dissatisfaction with the poor waste collection reported in some communities, stressing that residents who pay for waste disposal services deserve regular and reliable service delivery.
“Too much is given, so much more is expected. There are no more excuses,” the commissioner said, urging PSP operators to match the government’s investment with improved performance.
He explained that the reopening of Solus followed recommendations from waste operators who had proposed rehabilitating the facility instead of waiting for the development of new disposal sites in Badagry and Epe.
According to him, Solus serves several parts of Lagos West, including Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Mushin, Badagry, Ikeja, Ojo, and Apapa.
The rehabilitated facility is expected to accommodate at least 100 waste trucks daily, helping to reduce delays in refuse evacuation and prevent waste from accumulating on streets and around residential properties.
Wahab added that the contractor had assured the government that the repaired access road would remain functional for at least one year, provided quarterly maintenance was carried out.
The commissioner also warned that the government would enforce its polluter-pays policy and hold defaulting operators accountable for failing to provide services to residents.
LAWMA Undergoes Major Restructuring
As part of efforts to improve waste management, Wahab announced a restructuring of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), following a directive from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Juwon Akinyemi was appointed Acting Managing Director, while Dr. Tjani Olorunwa became Acting Executive Director of Operations. Kunle Adebiyi was also appointed substantive executive director of finance.
The restructuring is intended to reposition the agency as Lagos moves towards a waste management system that prioritizes resource recovery and recycling.
PSP Operators Promise Improved Waste Collection
Meanwhile, the National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Olugbenga Adebola, welcomed the reopening of Solus, describing it as significant relief for operators managing more than 700 trucks collectively.
He disclosed that the prolonged closure of accessible disposal facilities had forced operators to transport refuse more than 120 kilometres outside Lagos to Shagamu, increasing operational costs and delaying waste evacuation.
Adebola assured residents that operators would intensify their efforts, promising noticeable improvements within two weeks, particularly in Alimosho, Iba, Festac, Badagry, and parts of Agege.
He also appealed to the government to accelerate the rehabilitation of four other disposal facilities at Ewu-Elepe, Ikorodu, Oke-Aro, and Badagry.
The reopening of Solus and Olusosun is expected to ease pressure on Lagos’ waste disposal system. However, residents will ultimately judge the intervention by whether refuse collection becomes more consistent and streets remain cleaner.
With over 700 trucks expected to support improved operations, the coming weeks will be an important test of the government’s renewed waste management strategy.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
