By Victoria Tokolo
A governorship aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently implement sustainable measures to tackle the state’s worsening waste management challenges before the peak of the rainy season.
Oyefusi made the appeal amid growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several parts of Lagos, warning that the situation poses significant risks to public health, environmental sustainability and flood control efforts.
She noted that overflowing waste bins, illegal dumpsites and refuse-blocked drainage channels have become increasingly common across many communities, attributing the trend to irregular waste collection services, rapid population growth and inadequate waste disposal infrastructure.
According to the ADC governorship hopeful, the state’s waste management difficulties are being compounded by increasing waste generation, insufficient collection vehicles, poor waste segregation practices and overstretched landfill facilities.
She urged the Lagos State Government to move beyond temporary interventions and adopt long-term solutions capable of addressing the root causes of the crisis.
“The Lagos State Government must move beyond temporary measures and adopt real, long-term solutions to address the waste management crisis before the rains intensify. Failure to act decisively could worsen flooding, environmental degradation and public health risks,” Oyefusi said.
She expressed concern that inadequate waste evacuation has forced many residents to dispose of refuse in drainage channels, canals and vacant plots, a practice she said contributes significantly to flooding and creates breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests.
Oyefusi warned that poor waste management increases the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and typhoid, while also polluting water bodies and degrading the environment.
To address the challenge, she called for increased investment in modern sanitary landfill facilities equipped with leachate control and methane capture systems, alongside improved waste collection services across all local government areas.
She also advocated the expansion of recycling programmes, promotion of waste separation at source and encouragement of composting initiatives to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.
The ADC aspirant further recommended the development of waste-to-energy projects capable of converting refuse into electricity, describing such initiatives as a practical way to reduce landfill dependence while supporting the state’s energy needs.
In addition, she stressed the need for sustained public enlightenment campaigns, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations against illegal dumping and stronger collaboration between government agencies and private waste management operators.
Oyefusi maintained that Lagos could significantly improve its environmental outlook and quality of life through comprehensive reforms and effective implementation of modern waste management strategies.
“As the rainy season progresses, proactive measures are no longer optional. Lagosians deserve a cleaner environment and a waste management system that is efficient, modern and responsive to the realities of a rapidly growing megacity,” she said
