The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced a stakeholder engagement with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) to develop a comprehensive reform agenda for a more sustainable, accountable and efficient Private Sector Participation (PSP) sector.
The initiative, which began with a meeting at the LAWMA Headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, is aimed at addressing operational challenges confronting waste collection operators and developing practical solutions to improve service delivery across Lagos State.
The engagement, held under the theme, “Building a Sustainable, Accountable and High-Performance PSP Sector for a Cleaner Lagos,” brought together the leadership of LAWMA and executives of AWAMN to review the state of waste collection services and identify areas requiring reform.
Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority was committed to working with PSP operators to build a modern, resilient and citizen-focused waste management system capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly growing megacity.
Gbadegesin said the consultative process was designed to ensure that the proposed reforms reflected the realities of waste management operations and secured broad stakeholder ownership.
“Our objective is to build a waste management system that is efficient, transparent, financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of Lagos residents. We recognise the critical role played by PSP operators and believe that meaningful reforms can only be achieved through continuous engagement, shared responsibility and collective commitment,” he said.
The stakeholders identified several priority areas for the proposed reform programme, including performance-based regulation, route rationalisation, financial sustainability, improved payment compliance, fleet renewal and technology-driven service monitoring.
Other areas include stronger enforcement against illegal waste operators, improved landfill operations, recycling and resource recovery, enhanced customer service standards and stronger institutional governance.
The meeting also resolved to establish joint technical working groups comprising representatives of LAWMA and AWAMN to refine the proposals, determine data requirements, develop implementation options and submit recommendations for consideration in the final reform agenda.
Speaking on behalf of PSP operators, the President of AWAMN, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the regulator and operators.
Adebola pledged the association’s full cooperation throughout the consultation process, expressing confidence that the participatory approach would produce practical and sustainable reforms capable of improving service delivery and supporting the long-term growth of the sector.
LAWMA said the initiative was aligned with the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of building a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos through stronger public-private partnerships, institutional reforms and continuous improvement in waste management operations.
