Rhodes-Vivour, Wahab Trade Words Over Lagos Waste Management Challenges

Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has strongly criticized the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, over what he described as the failure of the state’s waste management system.

The dispute followed a directive by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ordering an immediate intensification of waste evacuation efforts across the state after residents complained about growing heaps of refuse in several communities.

Reacting to the governor’s announcement on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour argued that the move was not a solution but rather an acknowledgment that the government had failed to effectively manage waste disposal across Lagos. According to him, residents deserve a reliable and sustainable waste management system that prevents refuse from accumulating in the first place, rather than periodic emergency clean-up exercises.

In response, Wahab released a detailed statement on Saturday, defending the government’s environmental policies and waste management efforts. He acknowledged the concerns raised by residents but maintained that the state has continued to make significant progress in handling waste disposal challenges.

The commissioner disclosed that Lagos currently evacuates an average of 13,200 tonnes of waste daily through the efforts of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. He attributed occasional disruptions in waste collection services to several factors, including poor road accessibility, heavy rainfall, increasing operational expenses, inadequate performance by some PSP operators, and low compliance with waste payment obligations by residents.

Wahab further revealed that LAWMA had intensified supervision of operators, sanctioned underperforming service providers, reviewed inefficient collection routes, and continued the daily clearance of approximately 3,000 waste black spots across 57 designated routes in the state.

The commissioner also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving waste management infrastructure. These include the construction of Transfer Loading Stations, the development of Material Recovery Facilities in Ikorodu and Badagry, and the introduction of the Ikosi Fruit Market Biodigester project, which is designed to convert organic waste into biogas, electricity, and fertilizer.

Despite these explanations, Rhodes-Vivour dismissed the commissioner’s response, insisting that the realities faced by Lagos residents tell a different story. He argued that government performance should be measured by visible results rather than lengthy explanations.

According to him, the state’s plastic waste policy has failed, environmental management strategies have been ineffective, and the overall waste management framework has become a major disappointment for residents.

The former governorship candidate also accused Wahab of prioritizing demolitions over addressing environmental concerns and subsequently called on the commissioner to step down from office.

Rhodes-Vivour stated that Wahab had lost the moral authority to continue serving as commissioner and urged him to resign immediately.

Responding to the call, Wahab rejected the demand and made it clear that he would not be drawn into personal attacks or political distractions. He defended his record in public service, emphasizing that his focus remains on supporting the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve the welfare and living conditions of residents.

The commissioner further criticized Rhodes-Vivour, describing him as a political figure motivated by ignorance and unnecessary hostility. Wahab maintained that he would continue to defend policies and initiatives aimed at protecting the interests of Lagosians, insisting that he had no regrets about standing by those principles.