Many Lagos residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the waste evacuation services provided by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators, opting instead for the services of informal cart pushers.
Residents argue that cart pushers are more accessible and reliable compared to LAWMA’s irregular waste collection schedules.
In interviews conducted on Sunday, residents highlighted LAWMA’s inefficiencies and called for improvements to prevent health hazards arising from accumulated waste in 2025.
Joan Obasi, a FESTAC resident, lamented the lack of regular waste collection in her area.
“When we were using LAWMA, we expected them to come every Tuesday, but they never showed up. We prefer to use the cart pushers because they are readily available,” she said.
Similarly, Mercy Ogunjobi, who resides in Dopemu, noted that LAWMA’s services are inconsistent, with collection occurring only once a month, if at all.
“We complained, but there has been no change. They usually complain about the cost of diesel to power their vehicles. I don’t think that is an excuse because the LAWMA rate keeps increasing,” she added.
Other residents from Shasha, Okota, and Jakande Estate also echoed similar concerns.
While some areas like Lekki Phase One and parts of Jakande Estate reported more reliable services, many neighborhoods struggle with LAWMA’s sporadic collection schedules
LAWMA’s spokesperson, Folashade Kadiri, addressed the residents’ grievances, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to improving waste management across Lagos.
She condemned the use of illegal cart pushers, citing their role in indiscriminate dumping, environmental pollution, and flooding.
“LAWMA is dedicated to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment by enhancing waste management practices and fostering collaboration between citizens and the government,” Kadiri said.
She also highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts, including strengthening the PSP operators, enforcing environmental laws through a monitoring team, and promoting the Adopt-a-Bin initiative to encourage proper waste disposal.
Residents were urged to report waste-related issues through LAWMA’s toll-free lines for swift action.
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