Sanwo-Olu Appoints Sanuth as New LAWMA MD Amid Lagos Waste Crisis

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reportedly appointed Dr. Hassan Sanuth as the new Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) following persistent complaints about waste accumulation across the state.

The development comes amid reports that the incumbent managing director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, was asked to resign over concerns about the worsening waste management situation in Lagos. However, as of the time of reporting, relevant state authorities had yet to officially confirm the reported appointment and resignation request.

Sources familiar with the development said Sanwo-Olu was dissatisfied with the continued presence of refuse on major roads, residential streets and drainage channels despite earlier directives to improve waste collection.

Sanuth previously served as Director of Sanitation Services in the Office of Environmental Services under the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

Sanwo-Olu Declares Emergency on Waste Management

The reported appointment follows the governor’s recent efforts to address the waste crisis in Lagos.

During a visit to the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota about a month ago, Sanwo-Olu expressed dissatisfaction with the heaps of refuse across the state, describing the situation as embarrassing.

The governor subsequently declared a state of emergency on waste management and ordered a comprehensive review of LAWMA’s operations and management structure.

He was accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during a meeting with stakeholders in the waste management sector at the dumpsite. The meeting focused on identifying the challenges affecting waste collection and developing immediate, medium-term and long-term solutions.

Sanwo-Olu attributed part of the problem to the failure of some Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to meet their waste collection responsibilities in the preceding weeks.

He also disclosed that waste compaction activities were ongoing at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites. According to him, completing the projects would improve the evacuation of refuse and increase the dumpsites’ capacity to receive waste.

The governor explained that recent fire incidents at the facilities had disrupted operations but said work had resumed, with contractors working to prepare the sites for daily waste disposal.

He added that the completed projects would enable each dumpsite to receive approximately 450 trucks of municipal waste daily, effectively doubling the capacity of PSP operators.

Residents Continue to Complain About Refuse

Despite the government’s interventions, residents have continued to report waste accumulation in several parts of Lagos, including Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2.

The situation has led to complaints about decomposing refuse along streets, road medians, major highways and drainage channels.

A source familiar with the matter said the governor was unhappy that the situation had not improved significantly despite his earlier directives.

The source also claimed that Gbadegesin was appealing for more time and seeking the intervention of influential individuals to retain his position.

However, in a weekly waste management update published on his X account on Saturday, Gbadegesin reported progress in clearing affected areas and maintaining collection services on selected routes.

He said Mile 2 had been cleared, with routine waste collection sustained in the area. He also disclosed that three additional trucks had been deployed to Doyin-Orile and its surrounding communities.

According to the update, 11 of the 15 routes included in the week’s programme had received field updates.

Daily waste collection had reportedly continued along Ijesha Road and in Itire-Ikate, while Bucknor-Ijegun had been cleared and placed on a three-times-weekly collection schedule.

Gbadegesin further stated that Okeira and Oluodo had been placed under LAWMA’s temporary service arrangements following the termination of their PSP contracts. Waste collection also continued in Ogolonto and Igbokusu.

In Obalende, the affected area had been cleared, a waste bin provided and surveillance introduced to prevent a recurrence. Clearance operations were also ongoing in Iraye.

He identified Apapa, Abesan Estate, Idimu-Ejigbo Road and the Isheri-Igando corridor as the four routes awaiting field updates.

Gbadegesin said the objective was not merely to remove visible refuse but also to establish consistent waste collection systems and prevent the problem from returning.

He was reappointed to lead LAWMA by Sanwo-Olu following the governor’s re-election.

Who Is Dr Hassan Sanuth?

Dr Hassan A. Sanuth holds a PhD in Environmental Microbiology and a master’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Ibadan.

His areas of research include epidemiology, biodegradation, bioremediation and environmental monitoring.

He also holds certificates in Environmental Monitoring and Modelling from the Institute for Water Education in Delft, the Netherlands, and Multilevel Water Governance from The Hague Academy for Local Governance.

Sanuth has more than 23 years of public service experience, having worked in different environmental management and protection departments. His professional experience covers pollution control, billing and monitoring, conservation, and ecology.

He also served as Nigeria’s focal point for environment under the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation-sponsored Collaborative Action for Sustainable Tourism programme in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sanuth belongs to several professional organisations, including the Science Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Environmental Society and the American Society for Microbiology. He is also an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

His reported appointment comes at a time when the Lagos State Government is under pressure to improve sanitation, strengthen waste collection and address the persistent accumulation of refuse across the state.

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