The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has commenced a three-day intensive training program for staff members of the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWAMA), focusing on professional approaches to modern waste management.
The EKSWAMA delegation, led by its Director-General, Mr. Olasunkanmi Onipede, was welcomed by LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and his management team at the Authority’s headquarters in Ijora Olopa, Lagos.
Expressing his delight at the collaboration, Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized LAWMA’s commitment to resource sharing and capacity building, citing similar engagements with other Nigerian states and West African countries. He traced the evolution of LAWMA from its inception in 1977 as a refuse collection board to its current structure, established in 1999 under the leadership of then-Governor Bola Tinubu, transforming it into a scientific and professional waste management authority.
“Managing the waste of 23 million people who generate 13,000 tonnes of waste daily is no small feat,” Gbadegesin noted. “We continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn in the process. With over 400 PSPs [Private Sector Participants] operating across Lagos, LAWMA is transitioning into a circular economy system, embracing the reduce, reuse, and recycle model.”
He assured the EKSWAMA team of comprehensive theoretical and practical insights during the training, emphasizing the importance of ongoing partnerships to strengthen waste management practices nationwide.
In his response, Mr. Onipede expressed optimism about the training, highlighting its potential to transform waste management in Ekiti State. “We are here to understudy a system that manages the waste of over 23 million residents. This knowledge will enable us to replicate LAWMA’s model in Ekiti, where we manage the waste of 3.5 million people,” he said.
The training began with a lecture by LAWMA’s Head of PSP Domestic Services, Dr. Tunde Suleiman, who provided an overview of solid waste management principles and practices. He detailed processes ranging from waste collection and transportation to treatment and disposal, emphasizing the importance of adopting environmental best practices. Dr. Suleiman also highlighted advocacy and sensitization as critical tools in addressing the challenges posed by poor environmental attitudes among residents.
Dr. Mrs. Modupe Okoh, LAWMA’s Director of Medical Health and Safety Services, delivered a safety briefing, while the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, outlined the schedule of activities for the training. The delegation was shown short documentaries showcasing LAWMA’s operations and initiatives.
The three-day program includes training in key areas such as landfill management, advocacy, circular economy practices, environmental health, and waste management finance. Field trips to the Olusosun landfill, a waste-to-energy plant in Ikosi-Ketu, and LAWMA’s Mushin operational district will offer practical exposure to LAWMA’s operations.
This collaboration underscores LAWMA’s leadership in the waste management sector and its commitment to fostering partnerships that drive sustainable environmental practices across Nigeria.
