LAWMA Commences Palliative Work at Elepe/Elenuwa Facility as MD Engages Residents 

..Says LASG is moving  from conventional landfilling to alternative waste management systems, including Materials Recovery Facilities and Waste-to-Energy projects

ZAINAB JUNAID

What seemed to be a period of despair has gradually given way to a sigh of relief for residents of Elepe/Elenuwa Communities, Ikorodu Lagos, with the presence of dry plants, machines, laterite, other palliative materials at the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, facility.

The Lagos State Government through LAWMA management, not only takes steps to address the grievances of the residents, but the Managing Director of the Authority, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin also met with residents and representatives of the communities following their request for his presence to discuss their concerns regarding the waste facility.

During the engagement on Sunday, 9 August 2026, Dr. Gbadegesin expressed hope that the meeting would mark the beginning of further engagements between LAWMA and the communities, acknowledging the challenges associated with the facility.

C-R-L: MD/CEO Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin; National President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr Olugbenga Adebola, CEO Abike Global, Alhaja Abike; PSP Operator, Alhaji Alayaki, Assistant Director and Head of Landfill Operations, LAWMA, Mr Olumide Mumeen, and Kunlez at the meeting held on Sunday 9 August 2026 between LAWMA Management and ELEPE/ELENUWA Community Residents.

While rendering apologies for taking so long in addressing some of the challenges experienced by the communities, the Managing Director said the State Government had been concerned about the condition of the Ikorodu facility even before the communities’ letters and grievances were received, stressing efforts were already underway to address some of the identified challenges.

Gbadegesin observed that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) had been engaged to survey the access road and the facility, with a view to developing a permanent solution to the road, drainage and other challenges within the site.

He noted that some work had already been carried out by the company, assuring the residents that a permanent solution was being pursued.

The Managing Director stated that the Lagos State Government had approved palliative work on the affected stretch of road and explained that the approval was funded with taxpayers’ money.

“Having personally inspected this area, the condition of the road is alarming but all efforts would be put in place to ensure that more work could be done. We will continue with the rehabilitation work already commenced while efforts are being made toward the permanent solution,” he said.

Gbadegesin further proposed the establishment of joint technical committees comprising representatives of LAWMA and the communities to address specific areas of concern.

According to him, the proposed committees which include: Technical/Public Works Committee, Public Health Committee, Access, Traffic Control and Discipline Committee would help to oversee the rehabilitation works, provide technical input and make recommendations on the road and other infrastructure.

“They will also ensure smooth traffic flow, regulate access to the facility and address misconduct by truck drivers, including rudeness or inappropriate behaviour toward residents,” he said, “the third committee will see to the fumigation, environmental sanitation and other public health concerns arising from the facility”.

He also promised the residents that LAWMA would explore interventions that would keep the drainage and road around the facility clear, including areas beyond the immediate facility.

Addressing the issue of street lighting, the Managing Director announced that the Authority would make arrangements for the installation of solar streetlights along an appropriate kilometre stretch.

He assured the residents that necessary measures would be put in place to address the salient issues in the community, promising all matters would be presented to the Ministry of Environment.

LAWMA Boss disclosed further that Lagos State is moving away from conventional landfilling and focusing on alternative waste management systems, including Materials Recovery Facilities and Waste-to-Energy projects.

According to him, LASG’s direction was to move away from having landfills and dumpsites within communities, to diverting some of the waste currently coming to the Elepe/Elenuwa facility to other sites.

Gbadegesin concluded by assuring residents of the communities that LAWMA would provide necessary support within its capacity to address all grievances, and promised that all matters would be presented to the Ministry of Environment.

Meanwhile, the community representatives earlier appreciated the Managing Director and LAWMA management for responding to their request and visiting the community.

They raised several concerns and made recommendations, including: Provision of toilet facilities for truck operators at the waste facility to discourage open defecation along the road, Immediate measures to prevent trucks from encroaching on pedestrian areas along the access road, Proper and durable execution of the palliative road works pending the construction of the permanent road, and Introduction of a fixed turnaround or closing time for trucks to prevent overnight parking and congestion.

Others are Improved control of scavengers and waste pickers at the facility, Investigation of allegations that some medical waste operators discharge syringes and blood-contaminated materials, along the road before reaching the facility, Improved management and discipline of truck drivers, Provision of additional dry plants/equipment and adequate personnel to improve waste management operations, Construction and improvement of drainage channels and connection to the nearby canal, Provision of perimeter fencing around the facility.

Elaborating further on the concerns, the Treasurer of Progressive Estate, one of the CDAs in the community, who also doubles as Chairman of a major road in the community, Engr Wasiu Akanmu laid emphasis on security around the facility, the major access roads, fumigation and the indiscriminate attitude of drivers.

He called for more effective fumigation during subsequent interventions, noting that residents continued to experience mosquito and sunfly infestations shortly after the recent exercise.

While raising concern on road network around the facility, Engr. Wasiu urged LAWMA to consider a different approach to the operation of the facility by exploring ways to convert the site into a more productive resource that would add value rather than pose risks to the host community.

The communities’ representatives further expressed hope that the commitments made during the meeting would translate into tangible improvements and not become unfulfilled promises.

Other participants present at the meeting include the National President of Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Mr Olugbenga Adebola, representatives from Arewa Community, LAWMA Partners including Alhaji Alayaki, Abike Global, PSP Operators, and representatives of the joint Community Development Areas (CDAs).