Irregular waste collection by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators is pushing some Lagos residents toward informal waste collectors, despite concerns over indiscriminate dumping.
Some residents, in separate interviews in Lagos on Tuesday, said cart pushers were more responsive when called to collect household waste. However, they expressed concern over alleged indiscriminate disposal of refuse by some cart pushers on roads, in drains and other unauthorised locations.
Lovelyn Mbah, a resident of Harmony Estate, Ikeja, said she still used PSP operators but complained that their trucks did not collect waste regularly.
“I don’t use cart pushers, I use PSP operators but their trucks don’t come regularly.
“We haven’t seen them for the past two months, my estate is looking like a homeless camp,” she said.
Mbah said the situation could push residents towards cart pushers because of their quicker response when called to collect waste.
She supported incorporating informal collectors into the formal waste management system, provided they were properly regulated and educated on appropriate waste disposal.
She, however, said she had witnessed some cart pushers disposing of refuse illegally, including dumping waste in drains and on roads.
Mbah urged PSP operators to improve collection frequency, affordability and response to complaints.
Similarly, Kemi Agbeke, a resident along Alake-Ikotun-Idimu Road, said residents had relied on cart pushers for about three years because they considered them more reliable than PSP operators.
Chidimma Ogbodo, a resident of Ireku, Oworonshoki, Kosofe, also said irregular formal collection had forced residents to rely on cart pushers.
“We use cart pushers. PSP operators haven’t been here for almost three months,” she said.
Irabo, a cart pusher, said he previously collected household waste and disposed of it at the Olusosun dumpsite but stopped after losing access to the facility.
“I used to dump my refuse at Olusosun, but I don’t have access to the dumpsite anymore,” he said.
He said he now collected plastics and other recyclable materials after stopping household waste collection.
However, some residents said they had stopped using cart pushers because of concerns over illegal dumping.
Arnong Edet, a resident of Eyinogun-Iyemoja axis in Mafoluku, said he preferred PSP operators because he believed they disposed of collected waste at designated facilities.
He said the prolonged absence of PSP operators had also resulted in accumulated waste in the area.
“It’s not been easy. Everywhere around the area, you see pile-up of dirt,” he said.
Edet said the waste had attracted maggots and flies around his compound and affected residents’ access to fresh air.
He urged the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to explain why waste was allowed to accumulate until containers became full and overflowed into surrounding areas.
Similarly, Maria Uchegbu, a resident of Ishola Daniel Street, Orile Oshodi, criticised cart pushers over alleged indiscriminate waste disposal.
“They dump their refuse anywhere without care, and that is bad,” Uchegbu said.
She urged LAWMA to strengthen monitoring of streets to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and protect residents from its consequences.
LAWMA said heavy rainfall had affected access around Olusosun, slowing truck movement and causing temporary delays in waste evacuation.
The agency said its response included road rehabilitation, new disposal platforms, improved truck circulation and stronger evacuation logistics.
It added that it was working with PSP operators, LGAs/LCDAs, private-sector partners and the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria as part of its strategic partnerships.
LAWMA also listed illegal-dumping enforcement, arrests and prosecution of environmental offenders among its compliance measures.
The agency, in a statement issued in April, urged residents to use only accredited PSP operators and avoid illegal waste handlers.
The situation leaves residents weighing the convenience of informal collectors against concerns over the environmental consequences of improper waste disposal.
