Residents across Lagos State have expressed growing concern over the inconsistent waste collection services provided by Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators, warning that indiscriminate dumping and burning of refuse is increasing environmental and public health risks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported on Sunday that neighborhoods including Ikorodu, Ayobo, Alagbado, Shasha, Ikotun, Akesan, Afariogun Street, Mafoluku, Airport Road, and LASU-Iba Road have experienced prolonged gaps in waste evacuation. Many households now resort to burning refuse or dumping it in gutters, particularly during the rainy season.
In Ikorodu, businesswoman Adekoya Toyosi noted that PSP operators no longer maintain reliable schedules. “Collection sometimes drops from three times a month to once a month. When waste accumulates, we use gutters when it rains or burn it when sunny,” she said. Residents typically pay ₦500 to ₦700 per collection, depending on waste volume.
Human resource practitioner Timilehin Ogunnariwo highlighted that PSP trucks often arrive full, leaving inner streets unattended. “I use three drums in my compound, but when waste accumulates, rats scatter it everywhere. Overflow from PSP trucks in local markets is a recurring hazard,” he said.
Fashion designer Ajibola Mafolayanmi explained that she burns her waste three to four times weekly due to distant disposal sites and irregular PSP services, which has led to respiratory issues.
Officials overseeing waste in Ikorodu, including Mariam Ogundinmu, said refuse is evacuated weekly through the local council, but irregularities persist. “During the rainy season, the whole area becomes messy and smelly. Some residents have turned to informal haulers,” she added.
In other areas like Ayobo Extension, service gaps were blamed on poor roads and rainfall, while in Shasha, Egbeda, PSP operators reportedly provide selective services, favoring nearby estates.
Along AIT Road, Alagbado, heaps of refuse have accumulated due to weeks of non-collection. Similarly, in Ikotun, residents criticized PSP billing practices, calling for a pay-as-you-go system to ensure fair charges.
In the Akesan–Badore axis, residents reported delays of over three weeks between collections, exacerbated by the closure of Igando dumpsite and relocation to Badagry, increasing turnaround time and operational costs.
However, residents in Lekki Phase 1 reported consistent services, with waste evacuated every Monday or the following day if delayed. Ese Afolabi, a civil servant, praised the reliability, noting it helps maintain a clean and healthy environment.
The President of the Association of Scrap and Waste Pickers of Lagos, Friday Oku, acknowledged the issue of scavengers scattering waste and highlighted ongoing training programs for proper handling and occupational safety.
Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, said PSP operators are committed to efficient service delivery but face structural and logistical challenges. “We are working with government authorities to implement short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to address disposal problems,” he added.
Residents are calling on the Lagos State Government and Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to enforce more frequent and predictable waste collection services to prevent indiscriminate dumping, burning, and related health hazards.
