Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the approval of 150 new compactor trucks as part of the state government’s efforts to improve waste collection and address the growing waste evacuation challenges across Lagos.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday during the June 2026 Environmental Sanitation Exercise held in Surulere, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for residents.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the newly approved trucks are expected to be delivered and deployed within the next three months, significantly boosting the operational capacity of waste management services across the state.
He explained that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, observed on the last Saturday of every month, is more than a routine government activity. It is designed to encourage residents to actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean while promoting environmental responsibility throughout Lagos.
The governor also emphasized the importance of involving young people and schoolchildren in sanitation campaigns, noting that instilling environmental awareness at an early age will help build a lasting culture of cleanliness across future generations.
Acknowledging the operational challenges currently facing waste management in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said the shortage of compactor trucks and other critical equipment has affected the efficiency of refuse evacuation in several parts of the state. The procurement of the additional trucks, he said, is intended to bridge this gap and improve waste collection services.
Beyond the larger compactor trucks, the state government is also working with local government councils to acquire smaller waste collection vehicles capable of accessing inner streets and narrow roads that are difficult for larger trucks to reach. This initiative is expected to reduce waste accumulation in residential neighborhoods and prevent refuse from spilling onto major roads.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that some of the new vehicles will be assembled locally, a move aimed at strengthening the state’s waste management infrastructure while supporting local industrial capacity.
The governor also highlighted ongoing plans to modernize Lagos’ waste disposal system through the construction of a state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facility and Recycling Plant in partnership with ZoomLion. Once completed, the facility will be capable of processing more than 4,250 metric tonnes of waste each day, replacing the traditional dependence on landfill disposal with a more sustainable recycling and resource recovery system.
The recycling facility is expected to begin operations during the first quarter of next year and forms part of the state’s long-term strategy to improve environmental sustainability.
While these infrastructure projects are underway, Sanwo-Olu said the government is providing additional support to Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators by enhancing their logistics and operational capacity. He acknowledged that many operators are facing financial and operational difficulties that have affected service delivery.
The governor also appealed to residents to fulfill their responsibilities by paying waste management bills promptly, stressing that timely payments enable PSP operators to sustain their operations and provide efficient waste collection services.
Reiterating the importance of collective action, Sanwo-Olu noted that maintaining a clean Lagos cannot be achieved by government alone. He urged residents, businesses, waste service providers, and community stakeholders to work together in protecting the environment and ensuring that the state remains clean, healthy, and livable for all.
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