LAWMA withdraws licences of six waste operators in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has withdrawn the operating licences of six private waste collection companies over what the state government described as inadequate capacity to provide effective services in their areas.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the decision in a post on X on Tuesday.

This comes as the state government grapples with a daunting waste management crisis marked by uncollected refuse along major roads and across numerous areas of the state.

The affected operators are K-HS Integrated Services, formerly Gboleybos Nigeria Limited, in Igbogbo-Baiyeku; Deshasat Enterprises in Olorunda; Bailas Nigeria Company in Ojo; Guestimate Environmental Protection Company in Orile Agege; Evabol Ventures in Ajeromi-Ifelodun; and Korad Closet Empire Limited in Ojodu.

Their service areas include Ward C1, Slot A, Abosan in Igbogbo-Baiyeku; Ibereko (LIMCA) in Olorunda; Sabo Oniba in Ojo; Papa Ashafa II in Orile Agege; Oluwa 1 in Ajeromi-Ifelodun; and Oke-Ira/Powerline in Ojodu.

Mr Wahab stated that K-HS Integrated Services voluntarily withdrew from its service area, while LAWMA terminated the licences of the other five operators after an assessment of their operations.

He explained that the assessment found that the five companies lacked the capacity to continue providing waste collection services in their assigned areas.

“We will also ensure that the affected communities continue to receive uninterrupted waste collection services through appropriate interventions,” he said.

Mr Wahab urged residents in the affected areas to use approved waste collection channels.

Other operators affected

The latest licence withdrawals come months after LAWMA took similar action against five other PSP operators.

In May, the agency withdrew the licences of Kenny JPS, Clean Craft Nigeria Limited, Doveroost Limited, Dewayls and Pesjoy Ventures following an operational review. Some waste collection routes were also realigned.

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The decision followed complaints about irregular waste collection in parts of Lagos. In June, the state government directed LAWMA to meet with PSP operators after residents complained about poor collection, particularly in parts of Alimosho Local Government Area.

LAWMA has also been working on changes to the PSP scheme. In August, the agency began discussions with the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria on reforms to address operational problems and improve accountability among private waste collectors.

On Monday, LAWMA Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the authority was reviewing the state’s waste management system, including the structure of the PSP scheme and how operators are held accountable for their performance.