LAWMA MD says access arrangement reached to keep collection routes open while road works continue

Ejibunu Mercy

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is currently carrying out waste evacuation at Ojo Giwa Street, Lagos Island, following access restrictions caused by ongoing construction work at Idumagbo. The restricted access had affected the movement of LAWMA’s collection vehicles into the area, prompting the Authority to reach an access arrangement with Julius Berger, the construction company handling the project.

According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the construction firm has also assisted with equipment to load the Authority’s waste bins, enabling the evacuation exercise to proceed. He expressed appreciation for Julius Berger’s cooperation and responsiveness, noting that the intervention had made it possible to clear accumulated waste from the affected street.

Dr. Gbadegesin explained that beyond the immediate evacuation, the priority is to keep access open for regular collection while construction continues. He noted that restricted access is one of the operational challenges that can interrupt waste collection in built-up areas, and that sustained collaboration with contractors and relevant agencies is essential to preventing a build-up of waste in communities affected by road works.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring that waste collection services continue uninterrupted across Lagos, even in areas undergoing infrastructure development. Residents and business owners in the affected areas are encouraged to keep their waste properly packaged and to cooperate with LAWMA teams during collection exercises.

LAWMA also urged contractors and stakeholders executing projects across the State to consider the operational needs of waste collection vehicles, stressing that maintaining access routes supports public health and environmental sanitation for the communities they serve.