In a renewed push for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, the Lagos State Government has met with Chairmen of all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LGAs/LCDAs) to strengthen collaboration on environmental management and flood prevention.
EpeInsights learnt that the strategic meeting, held on Wednesday at Alausa, was led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who emphasized the need for residents to embrace proper sanitation and waste management as a lifestyle.
According to Wahab, the State is transitioning from the old “pick-and-drop” linear waste system to a circular model where waste is viewed as a resource rather than a burden. He urged local councils to align with this vision by ensuring effective waste management at the grassroots level.
“Lagos is moving toward a system where waste becomes a resource. Every council must work hand-in-hand with the State to reduce the volume of waste going to our landfills,” Wahab stated.
The Commissioner revealed that the State Government plans to decommission the Olusosun and Solous III landfills, which have outlived their usefulness, while ensuring that other facilities — such as the one in Epe remain fully functional.
He tasked council chairmen to educate residents on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal in open spaces, roads, drainages, and canals, warning that poor waste practices contribute significantly to flooding and environmental degradation.
Wahab also noted that Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators continue to play an active role in waste collection, supported by periodic interventions from LAWMA. He called on councils to replicate the State’s flood mitigation infrastructure at the local level and to work closely with resident engineers to identify and address flooding issues promptly.
Reiterating the government’s stance against street trading, the Commissioner urged LGAs and LCDAs to enforce environmental and safety laws strictly.
“If the government cannot enforce its laws, then it risks becoming a failed state,” he cautioned.
In his remarks, Chairman of Conference 57 and Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Sesan Olowa, commended the engagement, describing it as timely and necessary. He noted that several councils have introduced innovative approaches to waste management, including tricycle waste collection systems that access inner streets for house-to-house waste pickup, thereby reducing waste dumping on roads and medians.
Olowa also appealed for support in establishing mini Transfer Loading Stations (TLS) across LGAs to make waste disposal more efficient at the community level.
The meeting was attended by key state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert, among others.
