Lagos to build waste-to-energy plants at Olusosun, Epe, Badagry dumpsites
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has unveiled plans to improve waste management system in the state,
This was disclosed at a Waste to Energy Summit themed, “Driving Environmental Sustainability,” which was organised by Rack Centre in partnership with the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss sustainable solutions to waste management challenges.
In his keynote address, Mr. Wahab, who was represented by the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasised the need for proper dumpsite management to mitigate environmental hazards.
“When Olusosun was established, it was actually on the outskirts, but development caught up with it. There’s a lot of pressure on solid waste management, which is why we are working on reducing the amount of waste dumped on the Olusosun landfill through recycling initiatives,” he stated.
He further outlined LAWMA’s strategic plans to transform waste management in the state, by focusing more on recycling, introducing various initiatives such as development of compost and bio-gas plants, to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills.
“We are working on developing composting and bio-gas plants on the site. The future state is that we are going to decommission the Olusosun landfill; we are already in the process. Decommissioning the dumpsite is necessary to address long-term environmental and health impacts. In doing this, we are going to comply with international best practices,” he stressed.
Gbadegesin also announced plans to establish waste-to-energy plants across the state, “Waste-to-energy plants will be established at the Epe dumpsite. The plan is to have three waste-to-energy plants in the state at Badagry, Epe, and Olusosun. We are exploring other alternatives to be used as landfills since we are working on shutting down the Olusosun landfill.”
The convener of the summit and serving corps member, Dolapo Olaoluwa said he envisioned a gathering of key stakeholders to discuss solutions to the challenges posed by the Olusosun dumpsite and other waste management issues, as a way of contributing meaningfully to the community where he serves.
