The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has begun discussions with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) to develop a comprehensive reform plan for the waste collection sector in Lagos State.
The initiative is aimed at building a more sustainable, accountable and efficient Private Sector Participation (PSP) system capable of providing better waste collection services across the state.
The engagement marks the beginning of a joint process through which LAWMA and private waste operators will examine existing challenges, develop practical solutions and produce a roadmap for improving waste management in Lagos.
The meeting was held recently at the LAWMA headquarters in Ijora-Olopa under the theme, “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 review the current state of waste collection, identify operational challenges and discuss reforms that could improve efficiency, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority was committed to working with PSP operators to build a modern and reliable waste management system that meets the needs of Lagos residents.
According to a statement by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, Gbadegesin said the engagement would help ensure that the proposed reforms reflect the realities faced by operators and other stakeholders.
“Our objective is to build a waste management system that is efficient, transparent, financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of Lagos residents,” he said.
He said PSP operators play an important role in the state’s waste management system and that meaningful reforms require continuous cooperation among all stakeholders.
The meeting identified several areas for reform, including performance-based regulation, route planning, financial sustainability, improved payment compliance and renewal of waste collection vehicles.
Other areas include technology-based monitoring of waste collection, stronger enforcement against illegal waste operators, improved landfill operations, recycling and resource recovery.
The proposed reforms will also focus on improving customer service and strengthening institutional governance within the PSP sector.
To move the process forward, LAWMA and AWAMN agreed to establish joint technical working groups made up of representatives from both organisations.
The groups will review the proposals, identify the data required, develop possible implementation options and submit recommendations for the final reform agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the waste managers, the President of AWAMN, Dr Olugbenga Adebola, welcomed the initiative.
He described the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between LAWMA and private waste operators and improve waste collection services across the state.
Adebola pledged the association’s full cooperation throughout the consultation process.
He expressed confidence that the joint approach would produce practical reforms that would improve service delivery and support the long-term growth of the waste management sector.
LAWMA said the initiative is also in line with the vision of the Lagos State Government to build a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos through stronger public-private partnerships and continuous improvement in waste management.