The Lagos State Government has strengthened its waste management operations with the addition of 10 new compactor trucks aimed at improving refuse collection and promoting environmental sanitation across the state.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina, the trucks were donated by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority to support efforts toward a more sustainable waste management system.
At the official handover ceremony on Wednesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the donation as an example of effective inter-agency collaboration and corporate social responsibility within the state.
He explained that the gesture reflects stronger cooperation among government bodies and stakeholders in tackling the challenges of waste management in a rapidly growing megacity.
Wahab noted that Lagos generates more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, stressing the need for continuous investment in infrastructure, equipment, innovation, and partnerships to manage the volume effectively.
He said, “Lagos remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, generating over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.
“Managing this enormous volume of waste requires continuous investment in infrastructure, equipment, innovation and strategic partnerships.
“The donation reflects the strong synergy between ministries, departments, agencies and the private sector in addressing environmental challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and population growth in Lagos.”
The commissioner further highlighted ongoing initiatives by the state government through the environment ministry and the Lagos Waste Management Authority to enhance sanitation services.
He said the state has expanded waste collection through Private Sector Participation operators, strengthened recycling programmes, deployed marine waste evacuation teams, and invested in waste-to-wealth projects and modern waste management technologies.
Wahab also stated that Lagos is gradually transitioning from a traditional “collect-and-dump” system to a more sustainable zero-waste approach where waste is treated as a resource.
He said, “As part of this transformation, the state government has signed several Memoranda of Understanding with local and international partners aimed at diverting waste from landfills through recycling, reuse and resource recovery.
“At present, the state has secured agreements that will remove close to 5,000 metric tonnes from the 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily.”
He added that these waste conversion projects would reduce pressure on landfill sites while creating economic value from waste materials.
Wahab also said the donation came at a critical time as the state intensifies its environmental renewal programme, especially with the reintroduction of monthly sanitation exercises.
He assured that the new compactor trucks would be deployed to areas with high waste generation to improve evacuation efficiency.
“These compactors will be strategically deployed to critical locations across the state, especially areas experiencing high waste generation and communities requiring enhanced waste evacuation services,” he said.
The commissioner commended the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority for supporting environmental sustainability and urged other organisations to contribute to similar initiatives.