LAWMA receives commendations for cost-effective waste services in Lagos
Lagos State Wastewater Management Office
People in FESTAC area of Lagos State have lauded the Lagos State Waste Management Authority for its prompt and efficient waste collection services.
The commendation came in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, with residents highlighting the improvements over previous arrangements.
Before LAWMA’s consistent presence, residents largely relied on informal waste collectors, popularly known as Abokis, to dispose of domestic waste. However, they noted that LAWMA has proven more reliable, with scheduled waste pick-ups every Thursday and occasionally on Sundays.
This regularity, they said, has significantly reduced indiscriminate dumping and environmental pollution, giving residents confidence that their waste would be collected on schedule. Residents also noted that LAWMA’s services are more affordable than those offered by local Abokis.
Mrs. Grace Momodu of 5th Avenue explained, “LAWMA services suit my budget better than the Abokis because I don’t always have waste to dispose of, yet they can charge high amounts. For example, informal carriers may charge as much as ₦1,000 per pick-up, while LAWMA charges ₦1,000 monthly for the same service.”
Similarly, Mrs. Eniola Omotola, a resident of 22 Road, commended the cost-effectiveness of LAWMA’s services. “LAWMA charges ₦1,000 per month, regardless of the amount of waste. But if I hand the same amount to the Abokis, they tend to charge higher because there’s a limit to what they can carry,” she said.
Mr. Emmanuel James emphasised the convenience and broader coverage of LAWMA compared to informal collectors. “Sometimes you may need the Aboki, and they may not be available. That’s why we prefer LAWMA. They can collect waste from the entire close, whereas Abokis have limits—they can’t carry all the waste from even one close, let alone a whole block,” he said.
Ms. Blessed-Gift Nwaruh of 3rd Avenue acknowledged that LAWMA’s services have improved over the years, but suggested more could be done. “In the past, our area looked really dirty. Now, LAWMA officials pick up waste earlier than before. Still, more can be done to ensure a cleaner environment as we work to restore FESTAC Town to its former glory,” she said.
