The Lagos State Government has received 10 new waste compactor trucks to strengthen waste collection and improve environmental sanitation across the state.
According to a statement made available to The by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the compactor trucks were donated by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority as part of efforts to support sustainable waste management.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Wednesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the donation as a demonstration of corporate social responsibility and inter-agency collaboration within the state government.
According to him, the donation underscored the growing partnership among government institutions and stakeholders in tackling waste management challenges in Lagos.
Wahab noted that Lagos, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, generates more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making continuous investment in infrastructure, technology and equipment imperative.
He said, “Lagos remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, generating over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.
“Managing this enormous volume of waste requires continuous investment in infrastructure, equipment, innovation and strategic partnerships.
“The donation reflects the strong synergy between ministries, departments, agencies and the private sector in addressing environmental challenges associated with rapid urbanisation and population growth in Lagos.”
The commissioner highlighted several initiatives being implemented by the state government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Lagos Waste Management Authority to improve waste management services.
He said the government had strengthened waste collection through Private Sector Participation operators, expanded recycling programmes, deployed marine waste evacuation teams and invested in waste-to-wealth initiatives and modern technologies.
Wahab added that Lagos had moved beyond the traditional “collect-and-dump” model to a more sustainable zero-waste economy that treats waste as a resource.
He said, “As part of this transformation, the state government has signed several Memoranda of Understanding with local and international partners aimed at diverting waste from landfills through recycling, reuse and resource recovery.
“At present, the state has secured agreements that will remove close to 5,000 metric tonnes from the 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily.”
According to him, the waste conversion projects would significantly reduce pressure on landfill sites while creating economic value from waste streams.
Wahab noted that the donation came at a critical period in the state’s environmental renewal efforts, particularly following the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
He assured residents that the newly acquired compactors would be strategically deployed to areas with high waste generation and communities requiring improved waste evacuation services.
“These compactors will be strategically deployed to critical locations across the state, especially areas experiencing high waste generation and communities requiring enhanced waste evacuation services,” he said.
The commissioner commended the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority for supporting environmental sustainability and called on other public institutions and private organisations to contribute to environmental protection initiatives.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Bashir Are, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting programmes that improve residents’ quality of life.
He said the donation aligned with the vision of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat to maintain a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
Are said, “Beyond our statutory responsibilities, the agency is dedicated to promoting education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. A clean environment is fundamental to public health and well-being.
“While this donation is significant, the waste management needs of a megacity like Lagos far exceed the number being handed over. Even hundreds of additional trucks would still be required to meet the growing demands of the state.”
He, however, assured residents of the agency’s continued partnership with the Lagos State Government to strengthen waste management and environmental sanitation efforts across the state.