LAWMA MD silent as reports emerge of Sanwo-Olu’s resignation request
By Raphael Jackson –
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has yet to confirm or debunk reports that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has asked him to resign over the persistent waste management crisis in the state.
Western Post made several attempts to reach Gbadegesin by telephone on Monday following reports that the governor had asked him to step down, but the calls went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
The reported resignation request was first made public in a report by PUNCH Online, which quoted an unnamed insider within the agency as saying that Sanwo-Olu was dissatisfied with Gbadegesin’s handling of the waste management challenges across Lagos.
According to the report, the governor’s displeasure followed the continued accumulation of refuse along major roads, residential areas and drainage channels, despite earlier directives to improve waste collection and evacuation.
The source reportedly said Sanwo-Olu became particularly concerned after visiting the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota about a month ago and expressing dissatisfaction with the situation.
The development comes amid growing complaints from residents over heaps of refuse in several parts of Lagos, including Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2.
Sanwo-Olu had earlier declared a state of emergency on waste management and directed stakeholders to implement immediate measures to address the problem. The governor also identified operational challenges involving Private Sector Participation operators and fire incidents at dumpsites as factors affecting waste evacuation.
Meanwhile, Gbadegesin, in a post on his X handle on Saturday, said clearance operations were ongoing in several locations, including Mile 2 and Doyin-Orile, while additional areas remained on the schedule for intervention.
Western Post will continue to seek Gbadegesin’s response to establish the status of the reported resignation request.
