Lagos Commissioner Says Sorry Over Waste Management Issues

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has said sorry to residents about the challenges in waste management. He assured them that the government is working on it.

Mr Wahab made this apology in a statement shared on his official X handle on Friday. This came from an interview he had on ARISE Television.

"We had a challenge and we are fixing it," he said.

The commissioner’s apology follows a report from PREMIUM TIMES that showed how piles of rubbish have taken over major roads, markets, and homes in Lagos. This has raised worries about sanitation and public health.

The report looked into the state's waste management system. It pointed out issues with operations and infrastructure that have made it hard to collect refuse properly.

It also included suggestions from researchers at the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC). These suggestions included setting up decentralized transfer loading stations, sorting waste at the source, and better regulation of the waste sector to improve collection.

After the report, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered an immediate increase in waste removal across the state. He acknowledged the worries of residents and directed agencies to step up refuse clearance efforts. He also promised long-term changes to strengthen waste management.

Mr Wahab explained that the state is moving from its old linear waste management system to a circular model. This new model sees waste as a resource instead of just trash.

He said this new approach aims to make the environment more sustainable while creating economic value from waste.

The commissioner mentioned that the state has started a food waste digester at Ikosi. This digester will turn organic waste into energy.

He said the project was piloted and funded by C-40, supporting the state’s vision for sustainable waste management.

Mr Wahab added that this initiative is part of larger efforts to modernize waste management and achieve better environmental results across Lagos.

He reassured the public that the government is committed to improving waste management systems and ensuring cleaner communities for everyone.