LAWMA, AWAMN BEGIN TALKS TO REFORM WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM IN LAGOS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced strategic consultations with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) to develop a comprehensive reform agenda for a more sustainable, accountable and high-performing waste collection system across the state.
The engagement marks the beginning of a collaborative reform process aimed at identifying operational challenges confronting the Private Sector Participation (PSP) sector, developing practical solutions and producing a roadmap to improve waste collection services in Lagos.
The meeting, held recently at the LAWMA headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, was themed, “Building a Sustainable, Accountable and High-Performance PSP Sector for a Cleaner Lagos.”
It brought together the leadership of LAWMA and executives of AWAMN to assess the current state of waste collection, identify operational constraints and explore reforms that would improve efficiency, accountability and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to collaborating with PSP operators to develop a modern, resilient and citizen-focused waste management system capable of meeting the needs of Lagos’ rapidly growing population.
Gbadegesin said the consultation was designed to ensure that the proposed reforms reflected the realities faced by operators and other stakeholders, thereby promoting wider ownership of the reform programme.
“Our objective is to build a waste management system that is efficient, transparent, financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of Lagos residents. We recognise the critical role played by PSP operators and believe that meaningful reforms can only be achieved through continuous engagement, shared responsibility and collective commitment,” he said.
The stakeholders identified several priority areas to be further developed into a comprehensive reform programme aimed at improving the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the PSP sector.
The areas include performance-based regulation, route rationalisation, financial sustainability, improved payment compliance, fleet renewal, technology-driven service monitoring and stronger enforcement against illegal waste operators.
Other areas of focus include improved landfill operations, recycling and resource recovery, customer service standards and enhanced institutional governance.
To move the process forward, the meeting resolved to establish joint technical working groups comprising representatives of LAWMA and AWAMN.
The groups will refine the proposals, determine data requirements, develop implementation options and submit recommendations that will form the basis of the final reform agenda.
Speaking on behalf of PSP operators, AWAMN President, Dr Olugbenga Adebola, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the regulator and waste management operators.
Adebola pledged the association’s full support for the consultation process and expressed confidence that the participatory approach would produce practical and sustainable reforms capable of improving service delivery and promoting the long-term growth of the sector.
LAWMA said the stakeholder engagement was in line with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to build a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos through stronger public-private partnerships, institutional reforms and continuous improvement in waste management operations.
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