The volume of waste generated in Lagos State daily has risen to about 17,000 tonnes from about 13,000 tonnes.
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat made this known yesterday while featuring on ‘Daily Digest with Jimmy Disu’, a radio programme on Nigeria Info FM.
The programme was monitored by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Dr Hamzat highlighted the growing pressure on the state’s waste management system.
He said increase in waste volume had placed additional strain on Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and other operators.
The deputy governor said the situation had made effective planning and service delivery more challenging.
‘The government initially estimated that Lagos generated about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, but we have now discovered that the figure is approximately 17,000 tonnes,’ he added.
Hamzat attributed the surge to population growth, urbanisation and increased number of residents operating within the informal sector across the state.
He said Lagos had about 420 Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators engaged in waste collection at the moment.
He said operational disruptions affecting waste collection trucks had also posed a challenge in some parts of the state.
Hamzat cautioned residents against placing blame solely on LAWMA, saying the agency was dealing with a scale of responsibility that exceeded earlier projections.
‘We must understand that the scale of the challenge has changed. It is not something that can be handled the same way it was initially planned,’ he said.
Hamzat emphasised the importance of accurate data in addressing the situation, saying effective planning could only be achieved with a clear understanding of the problem.
He said: ‘You cannot manage what you cannot measure.’
The deputy governor said there was need for continuous review of waste management strategies in line with current realities.
He said building a cleaner Lagos required collective responsibility among the state government, PSP operators and residents.
Hamzat urged residents to complement government’s efforts through proper waste disposal and compliance with environmental regulations.
‘A cleaner Lagos depends on all of us. Government cannot achieve it without the cooperation of the people,’ he said.
He called on Nigerians to embrace a sense of responsibility and patriotism in maintaining a sustainable and healthy environment.