The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified measures to mitigate flooding as the rainy season approaches.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said in an interview on Tuesday that the agency had stepped up pre-rainy season waste evacuation, particularly in flood-prone and densely populated areas, to prevent blocked drainage channels.
He noted ongoing enforcement against indiscriminate dumping in drains, canals, and road medians to ensure the free flow of stormwater.
Gbadegesin explained that resurfacing of internal roads at Olusosun landfill had been approved to improve access and maintain seamless waste evacuation during heavy rains.
Personnel and equipment are being strategically deployed to markets, highways, and flood-prone corridors for rapid response. Monitoring of Private Sector Participants (PSPs) has also been strengthened to ensure timely waste collection at household and commercial levels.
LAWMA is enhancing operations of Transfer Loading Stations and Material Recovery Facilities to reduce landfill pressure and improve turnaround time. Public sensitization campaigns are ongoing in collaboration with the News Agency of Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency, and other stakeholders.
Support has been provided for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation to promote community compliance and cleaner surroundings. Residents are encouraged to use LAWMA’s customer service line for prompt response to waste-related complaints and to adopt waste reduction practices, including reuse and recycling, to ease pressure on drainage systems.
Last week, the Federal Government issued a flood alert warning that 33 states, including Lagos and Abuja, are at risk of flooding.
