By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced a three-day intensive training program for staff members of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), focusing on professional approaches to waste management.
The EKSWAMA team, led by its Director-General, Mr. Olasunkanmi Onipede, was warmly received by LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and his management team at the authority’s headquarters in Ijora Olopa, Lagos.
LAWMA’s Commitment to Knowledge Sharing
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Gbadegesin expressed LAWMA’s dedication to sharing expertise with other states and even West African countries to promote modern waste management practices.
“LAWMA, initially established in 1977 as a refuse collection board, was restructured in 1999 by then-Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu into a scientific and professional waste management authority. Managing waste for a population of 23 million people generating 13,000 tonnes of waste daily is no small task. We continuously innovate, learn, unlearn, and relearn to maintain efficiency,” he said.
Dr. Gbadegesin also highlighted LAWMA’s transition from a linear economy to a circular economy model, emphasizing the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. “With over 400 PSPs operating more than two compactors each, we ensure household waste is effectively evacuated across Lagos. By the end of this training, I am confident you will seek further collaboration with us,” he added.
Ekiti’s Commitment to Replicating Lagos’ Model
In his remarks, EKSWAMA Director-General, Mr. Onipede, commended LAWMA for its advanced waste management operations, expressing eagerness to replicate the model in Ekiti State.
“Managing waste for nearly 3.5 million residents in Ekiti cannot compare to Lagos’ scale. We are here to learn from the best and apply these insights to improve our system back home. This training marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with LAWMA,” Onipede stated.
Insights on Waste Management Practices
LAWMA’s Head of PSP Domestic Services, Dr. Tunde Suleiman, delivered a lecture on the principles and practices of solid waste management. He outlined processes ranging from waste collection to disposal, emphasizing environmental best practices and the importance of advocacy and sensitization in addressing poor waste disposal habits.
“Our biggest challenge is the poor attitude of residents toward waste management. Advocacy and attitudinal change are crucial to reducing the need for costly daily road clean-ups. Enforcement remains a last resort,” Dr. Suleiman noted.
Comprehensive Training Program
The training covers core areas of LAWMA’s operations, including landfill management, advocacy, circular economy practices, legal services, and environmental health. Participants will also undertake field trips to key sites, such as the Olusosun landfill, the waste-to-energy plant at Ikosi-Ketu, and LAWMA’s Mushin operational district.
LAWMA’s Director of Medical Health and Safety Services, Dr. Modupe Okoh, provided a general safety briefing, while the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, outlined the training schedule. The program also featured documentaries showcasing LAWMA’s activities.
The three-day training underscores LAWMA’s leadership in waste management and its commitment to empowering other states with practical knowledge for sustainable environmental practices.
