The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in collaboration with its network of licensed Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, evacuated over 418,500 tonnes of waste in May 2026. This figure represents an average daily collection of 13,200 tonnes, according to the agency's operational performance report released yesterday.
Operational Performance and Improvements
LAWMA's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, stated that the agency remains committed to enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening service delivery, and addressing pressure points within the waste management system. He revealed that 442 PSP operators are active across Lagos State, with 27 routes currently under review to optimize service coverage and improve collection efficiency.
During the reported period, LAWMA cleared 173 waste blackspots, including road medians, markets, bus stops, and other public spaces affected by indiscriminate waste disposal. The agency also bolstered its customer engagement systems, receiving 474 complaints and service requests in May, with ongoing efforts to improve response times and service delivery statewide.
Equipment and Infrastructure
Currently, LAWMA deploys 77 compactor trucks, five skip trucks, and 12 other operational equipment units across Lagos to support waste evacuation and environmental sanitation. Gbadegesin listed ongoing service improvement measures, including route restructuring and optimization, enhanced monitoring of PSP operations, infrastructure upgrades, equipment deployment, and sustained enforcement against environmental infractions.
Call for Public Cooperation
Gbadegesin urged residents to support government efforts by patronizing approved PSP operators, reporting service gaps through official channels, and refraining from indiscriminate waste disposal. He noted that Lagos operates one of the largest urban waste management systems in Africa, requiring continuous investment, infrastructure upgrades, enforcement, and stakeholder collaboration to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to delivering cleaner communities, improving service standards, and building a more resilient and sustainable waste management system for the state.
