The Lagos State Government has received 10 new waste compactor trucks from the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) as part of efforts to boost waste evacuation, improve environmental sanitation and strengthen the state’s waste management infrastructure.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony on Wednesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, described the donation as a significant contribution towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
Wahab said the gesture underscored the growing collaboration among government agencies in addressing environmental challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and population growth in Africa’s largest city.
According to him, Lagos currently generates more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making sustained investment in waste management infrastructure, technology and strategic partnerships imperative.
He noted that the state government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has continued to implement reforms aimed at improving waste collection and disposal across the metropolis.
“Government is strengthening waste collection through Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, expanding recycling programmes, deploying marine waste evacuation teams, promoting waste-to-wealth initiatives and investing in modern waste management technologies,” Wahab said.
The commissioner explained that Lagos has moved beyond the traditional “collect-and-dump” approach to a more sustainable zero-waste economy that treats waste as a valuable resource.
As part of that transition, he disclosed that the state had entered into several agreements with local and international partners to divert waste from landfills through recycling, reuse and resource recovery initiatives.
“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 said.
Wahab added that the waste conversion projects would significantly reduce pressure on landfill sites while creating economic value from waste streams.
He described the donation as timely, particularly as the state intensifies environmental renewal efforts and enforces sanitation measures across communities.
According to him, the newly acquired compactors will improve operational efficiency, enhance waste evacuation, reduce collection turnaround time and support cleaner neighbourhoods across the state.
“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 assured.
Wahab commended the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority for its support and urged other public institutions, corporate organisations and private sector stakeholders to partner with government in advancing environmental sustainability.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Abiola Are, said the donation reflected the agency’s commitment to initiatives that improve the quality of life of residents.
He noted that beyond its regulatory responsibilities, the agency remains committed to supporting programmes in education, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
According to him, a clean environment is critical to public health and overall wellbeing.
Are said the donation aligns with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat to build a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
While describing the 10 compactors as a significant intervention, he acknowledged that the waste management demands of a megacity like Lagos remain enormous and would require continued investment and support.
He assured residents of the agency’s readiness to continue partnering with the state government to strengthen waste management and environmental sanitation efforts across Lagos.
