TheLagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is aparastatal of thegovernment of Lagos State responsible for managingwaste generated inLagos State through awaste collection,transportation and disposal structure. Thegoal of Lagos Waste Management Authority is to improve the environment with the impact of achieving positive and significant change in living conditions regarding health andsanitation.[1][2]
The Lagos State Refuse Disposal Board (LSRDB) was instituted underEdict No. 9 of 1977, which was the first of its kind inWest Africa.[3] The Board was given the responsibilities of environmental sanitation and domesticrefuse collection and disposal in Lagos State.
The board was renamed the Lagos State WasteManagement Authority via the enactment of a new Law – Edict No. 55 of 1991, which conferred on the Authority additional responsibilities for the collection and disposal ofmunicipal andindustrial wastes as well as provision ofcommercial waste services to the State andLocal Governments of Lagos State.[4]
The board metamorphosed over the years into the agency known today as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) by virtue of the LAWMA Law 2007, and accrued added responsibilities ranging from management of commercial, industrial, and medical wastestreams, highway sanitation, cleaning ofdrainage and otherwater bodies, to construction anddemolition of waste management, among others.[5] LAWMA works closely with theLagos State Ministry of Environment and has initiated reforms regarding collection of waste bills and also aims to increase wasterecycling.[6][7][5]
Residents have been urged by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to adopt the habit of recycling waste items.[8]
In 2020, The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) developed an academy to provide quality education, appropriate involvement, and suitable sensitization in order to assist people in making educated and strategic waste management decisions in the state.[9]
In 2011,GMI awarded a grant to the LAWMA for studies evaluating thefeasibility of capturinglandfill gas from theAbule Egba and Solous Landfills. Based on their findings, LAWMA developed alandfill gas energy project to the local residents which serve as a reliable source of electricity.[10]
15 September 2020, LAWMA launched theLAWMA Academy. LAWMA Academy offers several programmescertifications in waste management and services aimed at promoting the Reduce, Reuse andRecycle practices of waste management.[11]
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) carried out a 48-hour shutdown and maintenance of the Olusosun landfill in November 2021.[12]
In 2021, LAWMA partnered with theChartered Institution of Waste Management (CIWN) for the inclusion of certified courses inresource management which resulted from the collaboration of LAWMA Academy and an environmental consulting firm in London UK, called SafeEnviro.[13]
In August 2021, GovernorBabajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has finalized plans to add 102 new locally made waste compactor vehicles to the state Waste Management Authority's (LAWMA), marking a significant step toward a cleaner Lagos.[14]
World Clean Up Day was celebrated at the Ilashe/Ibeshe beach of Lagos State by LAWMA, September 2021 and the event was used as an avenue to sensitise residents about their responsibility to the environment and to clean-up the water ways.[15]
On the 13th of February 2022, LAWMA commenced thefumigation of dumpsites across the state, starting with the Igando Solous dumpsite in line with the agenda for a cleaner Lagos.[16][17][18]
The Lagos state Government, Babajide Sanwo-Olu launches a programme for cleaner Lagos called "Adopt-a-Bin".[19]
Lagos State Government through LAWMA distributes 40,000waste bins to aid recycling.[20]
Lawma manages the daily collections of waste from household, businesses and public space across the communities.
Lawma is involved in promoting and recycling of waste through various programs.
Lawma has a regulatory body enforcing sanitation and environmental rules and also imposing fines for non compliance.
Lawma's effort have contributed to clean and healthy streets /roads, reduced waste in the public space and create awareness of environmental sustainability in Lagos at large.
