Gbadegeshin
The lingering waste crisis in Lagos State has claimed its first major casualty, with the removal of Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin,
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), who was reportedly asked to resign by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
It was learnt that the governor’s decision followed growing dissatisfaction with the accumulation of refuse on major roads, residential streets and drainage channels across the state, despite directives to address the situation.
Although no official statement had been issued on the development as of yesterday, a LAWMA staff member confirmed that a senior official had been designated to oversee the agency pending formal confirmation of the leadership change.
The source declined to disclose the official’s identity, saying the appointment had yet to be announced.
Indications of Gbadegesin’s departure emerged during a recent waste evacuation operation in Oshodi-Isolo Local Council, where LAWMA deployed more than 25 compactor trucks and sanitation personnel to clear accumulated refuse from several streets.
Unlike previous operations, the exercise was reportedly coordinated by the agency’s management staff without Gbadegesin’s visible involvement.
A source familiar with the development said Sanwo-Olu had become increasingly dissatisfied with the pace of waste evacuation and the agency chief’s alleged failure to act promptly on directives to improve the situation.
“The governor was at the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota about a month ago and was dissatisfied with the state of things. He gave instructions that immediate action be taken, as he had declared a state of emergency on waste management.
“The governor was upset when he observed that the situation had not improved despite his clear directive. So, over the weekend, he asked him to resign, although he is begging and has reached out to some prominent Lagosians to plead on his behalf,” the source said.
Gbadegesin’s reported removal comes amid sustained complaints from residents about refuse accumulation in several parts of Lagos.
In September, Sanwo-Olu declared a state of emergency on waste management following an inspection of the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota.
The governor, accompanied by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, met with stakeholders in the waste management sector to assess operational challenges and outline immediate, medium- and long-term solutions.
Sanwo-Olu attributed part of the problem to the failure of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to meet their obligations in the preceding weeks.
He said waste compaction was ongoing at the Olusosun and Solous III dumpsites, adding that the completion of the projects would facilitate faster evacuation.
He also attributed some operational delays to recent fire incidents at the dumpsites but said work had resumed.
According to the governor, completing the projects would enable each dumpsite to receive about 450 trucks of municipal waste daily, effectively doubling the capacity available to PSP operators.
However, the situation has remained a source of concern, with the government under pressure to ensure more effective and sustainable waste collection.
As recently as Saturday, Gbadegesin provided an update on LAWMA’s operations through his X handle, highlighting clearance efforts and additional truck deployments in several areas.
Gbadegesin was reappointed LAWMA managing director by Sanwo-Olu in June 2023, following the removal of his successor, Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni.
He had previously led the agency before resigning in August 2020, when Odumboni was appointed managing director and chief executive officer. Odumboni was subsequently removed in June 2023, paving the way for Gbadegesin’s return.
The latest reported leadership change has yet to be formally confirmed by the Lagos State Government or LAWMA.
Source -Guardian newspaper