The Lagos State Government has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Agege Local Government Area to achieve a cleaner, flood-free, and sustainable environment across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a strategic meeting with the Acting Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Ganiyu Obasa, in his office.
Wahab explained that Lagos is transitioning from a linear waste system (pick and drop) to one where waste is viewed as a resource. He stressed that collaboration between the state and local governments is crucial to reducing the volume of waste reaching landfills.
“Until there is a clear-cut collaboration between local governments and the state, the same way states collaborate with the federal government, we will continue to struggle with our realities. Lagos is growing daily,” he said.
He disclosed that the state government is decommissioning the Olusosun and Solous 3 landfills, which have outlived their usefulness, while other landfills like Igbo Elepe remain functional.
The Commissioner said PSP operators assigned to Agege are performing effectively and urged the Chairman to contact LAWMA for swift interventions when needed. He also promised that more officers and stakeholders would be mobilized to support house-to-house waste collection instead of dumping waste on main roads.
Wahab added that environmental health officers would work closely with LAWMA to enforce sanitation regulations and maintain cleanliness along major routes in Agege.
He tasked the LG Chairman with identifying illegal markets, scavenging spots, and other black spots for cleanup and potential conversion into green or beautified areas.
He also reminded him that resident engineers are attached to every LGA/LCDA to manage drainage and flood issues and should be promptly engaged when necessary.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the Acting Chairman for “hitting the ground running,” urging him to collaborate with LAWMA on the Waste-to-Wealth initiative to prevent dump sites from emerging at unauthorized locations.
Hon. Ganiyu Obasa reiterated his commitment to working with the Ministry to end major environmental infractions in Agege and beautify public spaces. He said the local government had already held stakeholder meetings in its 36 zones to educate residents on proper waste management and waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Others present at the meeting included Permanent Secretaries Gaji Omobolaji (Environmental Services) and Engr. Mahamood Adegbite (Drainage Services); LAWMA MD, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; LASEPA GM, Dr. Tunde Ajayi; and other senior officials.