Lagos Announces Major Environmental Transformation
The Lagos State Government has set an ambitious timeline to permanently close two of its largest landfill sites within the next 18 months. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this significant announcement during an inspection tour of the facilities over the weekend.
Strategic Transition to New Waste Facilities
According to Wahab, the 18-month period is crucial for establishing alternative waste management plants in strategic locations across the state. New facilities will be developed in Badagry, Ikorodu, and Epe to handle the waste currently being processed at Olusosun and Soluos 2 and 3 landfill sites.
The commissioner emphasized that the decommissioning process for Olusosun landfill will commence once their waste-to-wealth partner initiates the material recovery facility operations. "We will start the process of decommissioning the place and capping it the way it's done globally," Wahab stated during the inspection.
Revolutionizing Waste Management in Lagos
The state government is implementing a fundamental shift in its approach to waste management. Lagos is moving from a linear waste management system to an environmentally friendly and sustainable model that treats waste as a valuable resource.
Wahab explained the comprehensive strategy: "We are going to recycle some waste and turn some into compost fertilizers. Then, whatever is left, Lafayette will take its own combustible waste. The harvesters will take theirs to turn into energy. Whatever is left will be so minimal which then we can take to the landfill."
The commissioner stressed that proper alternatives must be in place before decommissioning begins. "We don't just decommission. We must provide the alternative for them to take whatever is left from the treated, sorted resource to go and drop," he noted.
This transformation represents one of the most significant environmental initiatives in Lagos State, with the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills while creating economic opportunities through waste conversion projects.
