Less Than 30% of Lagosians Pay For Refuse Collection – Wahab

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, says fewer than 30 per cent of residents in the State pay for refuse collection services, despite the high cost of waste management.

Wahab disclosed this while addressing concerns over waste disposal in parts of Lagos.

According to him ” Less than 30 per cent of Lagosians are paying for the services of PSP operators”.

Wahab who spoke exclusively to TVC News Beyond The Headlines programme on Tuesday evening stressed that poor compliance with payment for refuse collection remains a major challenge to maintaining a clean environment for all residents.

“Government will have to play a more active role in collecting waste levies to ensure the system is sustainable”.

The commissioner also disclosed that he has directed the immediate evacuation of waste from the Egbeda and Igando axis on Tuesday night.

” We will clear the waste in the Egbeda and Igando axis tonight and ensure continuous patrols in the area.”

He added that sanitation officials will carry out the cleanup and maintain patrols in the area to prevent a recurrence.

He said the patrols would ensure proper waste disposal and discourage indiscriminate dumping, reaffirming the State government’s commitment to improving environmental sanitation across Lagos.

“”We cannot continue with the ‘pick and dump’ model. Waste must be seen as a resource that can create wealth and generate energy.”

Wahab urged residents to support the government’s efforts by paying for waste collection services and disposing of refuse responsibly to keep the State clean.

“The challenge is that many residents are not using the proper waste disposal structures, leading to indiscriminate dumping.”

TVC online reports that the issue of indiscriminate dumping of refuse across most parts of the State has become a major issue despite efforts to stem the tide.

The activities of unauthorised refuse collectors using cart pushers is also seen by observers as a source of the regular appearance of refuse on road medians across the State.