The Lagos State government has assured residents that the creation of new dump sites will not be an issue in the host communities.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this during an inspection of the Olusosun and Soluos 2 and 3 landfill sites on Saturday.

“We are moving from a linear waste management system to a proper waste management system that is environmentally friendly and sustainable, in a way that waste is now seen as a resource.

“The quantum and the quantity of waste that will end up in the landfills will be to the barest minimum,” said Mr Wahab.

The commissioner said some of the waste would be recycled and some into compost fertilisers, adding, “Then, whatever is left, Lafayette will take its own combustible waste. The harvesters will take theirs to turn into energy.”

Mr Wahab said the state of Olusosun and Soluos 2 had always been of concern, noting that it was appropriate for the ministry to take the spot assessment of the landfills.

He said the state had engaged the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the PSP operators. He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had also met with them and that the State Executive Council had deliberated on the issues.

The commissioner noted that at every point in the discussion, the issues of the Olusosun and Soluos 3 had consistently emerged.

“It is appropriate for us to take on the spot assessment of these landfills and dump sites because we are also opening up new flanks around Badagry, Ikorodu, and Epe.

“We have said we have to decommission Solus 3 and Olusosu, so that plan is in the works,” he said.

The commissioner assured journalists that Lagos residents would see the impact of the activity in the next 18 months.

“On our way in here, the first place we went to was the designated place for Zoomlion, which is our partner for the waste-to-wealth project.

“Part of the deal is, once they start the material recovery facility there, they will start the place of decommissioning and capping it the way it’s been done globally.

“This same thing will happen to Solus 3, which is why we also have to provide the alternative facilities around Ikorodu and Epe and then Badagry to the west and the east of Lagos.

“So 18 months from now, you start seeing that activity in place,” he said.

The commissioner said Olusosun is a rigid pavement, while Solus is not, adding that the PSP operators cannot just park their trucks on the road.

“This is a rigid pavement. LAWMA has provided the facilities and infrastructure, but the operators also must find a way to understand that you can’t just wilfully park your trucks on the road,” he said.

Present during the inspection were the senior management of the ministry, among others.

(NAN)