The Lagos State government is taking a bold step to address a multifaceted problem through a waste processing plant to be sited in the Epe area of the State. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who announced this on Wednesday in Lagos said the project will cost $400 million. It is designed to address the age long waste problem in the state, and the nagging problem of shortage of energy.
Mr. Wahab, who was speaking at the Lagos Investors Summit, said the plant would also provide a long-term solution to the crisis of diminishing landfill capacity. Currently, about 80 per cent of the state’s landfill capacity is nearly exhausted, posing serious environmental and public health risks.
The Commissioner said in a post on his social media handle, X (formerly Twitter), that “This strategic facility represents a critical step in our mission to create a cleaner, more sustainable Lagos while addressing the pressing issue of diminishing landfill capacity.”
The facility will process municipal solid waste, converting it into clean energy capable of powering up to two million homes and businesses across the state.
Those are not the only problems that the the proposed plant will address. Through the use of advanced conversion technology, the plant will also significantly reduce flooding caused by blocked drainage systems, especially during the rainy season.
The project also offers strong economic prospects, with a projected internal rate of return of 12 percent over a 20-year period, driven by electricity generation and tipping fees.
It is expected to contribute to Lagos’ climate resilience goals by cutting greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfill waste and introducing a new stream of renewable energy into the state’s grid.
In addition to the Waste-to-Energy Plant, the government also announced plans to introduce an Early Warning System for extreme weather events.
Both initiatives are part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s broader climate adaptation and sustainability strategy.
“These initiatives demonstrate the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration’s commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions that address both our immediate environmental challenges and long-term climate adaptation needs,” Wahab said.
He called on public and private sector partners to collaborate with the state in making the ambitious project a reality.
