The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), formerly known as Lagos State Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB) at inception was established in 1977 vide Edict No. 9 of 1977 when it was glaring during Nigeria’s preparation for Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac ’77) that the then two Local Government Councils, namely Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland, could not cope with the volume of waste resulting from the oilboom stimulated economy and its attendant influence on migrants into the new capital city from the rural and less developed areas of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries. The name was later changed to Lagos State Waste Disposal Board (LSWDB) because of the added responsibilities for industrial-commercial waste collection and disposal, drain clearing and disposal of derelict / scrapped vehicles.
In December 1991, its current name, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) was christened under Edict No. 55, which made the agency to be responsible for the collection and disposal of municipal and industrial waste as well as for the provision of commercial waste services to the State. In 2006, there was a law enactment that changed the name to Lagos Waste Management Authority, which gives LAWMA the power to carry out its activities outside Lagos. LAWMA is a consultant on waste management matters to other States in Nigeria, as well as other African Countries.
We are the pioneer waste management outfit in Nigeria and a trail blazer in and outside the country. LAWMA is synonymous with waste management and our strength lies in professionalism and efficiency.
In a related development, LAWMA has organised an instruction programme for its enforcement and abatement notice teams on standard rules and appropriate behavior while interacting with tenants on the issue of purchasing smart trash receptacles for their residences.
In order to stop waste migration, indiscriminate dumping, and improve waste recycling while assisting in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills, the authority’s Adopt-a-Bin project is crucial, according to Kunle Adebiyi, executive director of finance.
On his own part, LAWMA’s Chief Technical Officer, Dr Olorunwa Tijani, who spoke on the topic, “Bin Placement and Evacuation”, advised residents to place their waste bins at strategic places to make them accessible for seamless evacuation by assigned PSP operators.
Culled LAWMA