Sanwo-Olu replaces LAWMA chief amid Lagos waste crisis
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readLagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has initiated a major leadership overhaul at the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) by replacing MD Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin with Olajuwon Akinyemi. This decision follows months of public outcry regarding uncollected refuse and the government's struggle to manage waste effectively across the state.
Context & Background
- ✦The state government previously declared a state of emergency in the waste management sector to combat mounting refuse in drainage channels and streets.
- ✦The crisis has been attributed to factors including the failure of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, fire incidents at dumpsites, and delays in waste compaction.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu:Ordered the immediate reorganisation and mass transfer of LAWMA leadership.Olajuwon Akinyemi:Appointed as the new Acting Managing Director of LAWMA.Dr. Tijani Olorunwa:Appointed as Acting Director of Operations.Kunle Adebiyi:Retained as Executive Director, Finance.
Outlook & Next Steps
The new management under Akinyemi is tasked with stabilizing the agency and improving service delivery, though the government has not yet released specific performance targets or timelines for the new leadership.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has replaced LAWMA MD Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin with Olajuwon Akinyemi in an acting capacity.
- The leadership change is part of a comprehensive reorganisation involving the mass redeployment of senior officers from Salary Grade Levels 13 to 17.
- The restructuring aims to address a persistent waste management crisis characterized by mounting refuse across various Lagos residential and commercial areas.
Key Facts:90 days: Heads of Landfill, LAWMA, and PSP Operations are exempted from redeployment for a stabilization period.Post-re-election: Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin was reappointed as LAWMA managing director following the governor's re-election.
Editorial Excerpt
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has replaced LAWMA MD, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, with Olajuwon Akinyemi amid a worsening waste management crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
Which departments are excluded from the mass redeployment exercise?
The Legal Department is excluded to prevent disruption to court proceedings and concession agreements, while heads of Landfill, LAWMA, and PSP Operations are exempted for 90 days.
Why did Governor Sanwo-Olu remove the former LAWMA MD?
The governor was dissatisfied with the handling of the waste crisis, specifically the slow pace of waste evacuation and the failure to act promptly on his directives.
