Residents who dump refuse on roadsides, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations in Lagos may face increased surveillance as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) plans to deploy closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at strategic locations across the state to curb environmental violations.
The initiative, alongside an existing partnership with the Lagos State Command Centre, is aimed at identifying offenders, strengthening enforcement and encouraging residents to take greater responsibility for keeping their neighbourhoods clean.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this during an interview on Lagos Talks 91.3 FM on Monday, October 12, explaining that improved waste collection services must be matched by responsible public behaviour to achieve lasting environmental cleanliness.
He said the authority was strengthening its surveillance and enforcement mechanisms while sustaining public awareness campaigns to discourage indiscriminate waste disposal.
Gbadegesin noted that providing more waste trucks and improving collection infrastructure would not, on their own, solve Lagos’ waste management challenges if residents continued to dispose of refuse indiscriminately.
He explained that the planned CCTV deployment would help monitor environmental infractions, deter illegal dumping and support the identification of offenders for appropriate action under the law.
More Trucks, Better Waste Collection
Beyond surveillance, LAWMA is also expanding its waste collection capacity to address the challenges residents face in disposing of household refuse.
Gbadegesin disclosed that the arrival of 150 new waste trucks would strengthen waste collection and evacuation across Lagos, while a house-to-house intervention was helping to clear accumulated refuse following the disengagement of underperforming Private Sector Participants (PSPs).
The measures are expected to improve waste evacuation and help communities struggling with refuse accumulation regain cleaner surroundings.
He cited feedback from Adegboyega, a resident of Mushin, who acknowledged seeing LAWMA’s new compactors operating in the area.
The observation highlights the importance of visible waste management services in building public confidence and encouraging residents to cooperate with environmental authorities.
However, the LAWMA chief stressed that improved services must go hand in hand with public cooperation, urging residents to patronise approved waste collection operators, package refuse properly and report illegal dumping.
He emphasised that keeping Lagos clean was a shared responsibility requiring consistent service delivery by government and compliance by residents.
Turning Waste into Wealth
As part of efforts to reduce dependence on conventional waste disposal methods, LAWMA is also pursuing initiatives to recover value from waste, including converting organic waste into useful energy.
Gbadegesin highlighted the potential of waste-to-energy technology to generate electricity while reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal.
He referenced the State Steering Committee established to advance the proposed biogas plant, alongside broader plans to develop waste-to-energy solutions in support of Lagos State’s circular economy ambitions.
- The authority is also pursuing improvements to waste transfer and resource recovery infrastructure, including Transfer Loading Stations and Material Recovery Facilities, to enhance waste handling, sorting and recycling.
These interventions are intended to strengthen the waste management chain, from household collection to transportation, recovery and final disposal.
Residents Have a Role to Play
For residents, the success of these initiatives will depend not only on the availability of waste trucks or the installation of surveillance cameras, but also on everyday decisions about how and where refuse is discarded.
Indiscriminate dumping can obstruct drainage channels, worsen local environmental conditions and undermine efforts to maintain clean and healthy neighbourhoods.
LAWMA is therefore combining technology, enforcement, public education and improved waste collection services to discourage environmental violations and promote responsible disposal habits.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to working towards a cleaner Lagos, urging residents to support government efforts by using approved waste collection services and keeping their surroundings free of improperly discarded refuse.
Ultimately, the drive towards a cleaner Lagos will require both effective public services and a change in the waste disposal habits of residents.
Innocent Onoh
