Lagos State Unveils Bold Waste-to-Energy Initiative
LAGOS/Nigeria: The Lagos State Government has announced ambitious plans to revolutionize waste management through innovative waste-to-energy solutions. This landmark initiative, which includes the establishment of multiple waste-to-energy plants, was unveiled by Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, at the Waste to Energy Summit themed “Driving Environmental Sustainability.” The summit, organized by Rack Centre in collaboration with the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
Represented by Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Wahab emphasized the urgent need to improve dumpsite management to mitigate environmental hazards. He highlighted the growing pressure on the Olusosun landfill, originally located on the outskirts of Lagos, due to rapid urban development and an increasing volume of solid waste.
To tackle these challenges, LAWMA is implementing strategies to reduce the waste directed to landfills by promoting recycling initiatives and developing composting and biogas plants. Dr. Gbadegesin remarked, “We are working on developing composting and biogas 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.”
In addition to these measures, the state plans to establish three waste-to-energy plants in Olusosun, Epe, and Badagry. This strategic move aims to convert waste into a valuable resource, significantly reducing landfill dependency. This initiative is part of a broader effort to transform waste management practices and promote environmental sustainability in Lagos.
The summit gathered key stakeholders and experts who discussed sustainable solutions for waste management. Notable speakers included Ezekiel Egboye, Founding Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Rack Centre; Jide Onakoya, Chief Operating Officer of Elektron; Professor Emmanuel O. Ogolo, represented by a colleague; Dr. Victor Abimbola Onifade, Senior Lecturer of Urban and Regional Planning; Olaide Ayodele-Taiwo, Assistant Chief Scientific Officer at NESREA; and Yetunde Baderinwa, NYSC State Coordinator for Lagos State.
The event concluded with a panel discussion where participants deliberated on various sustainable approaches to waste management, underscoring the collective effort needed to achieve a cleaner and greener Lagos.
