Informal sector and solid wastes disposal in the city of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Waste management in Lagos has been adversely affected by large volumes of waste generation and inadequacy of disposal systems. This has led the informal sector to be involved in waste management. Unfortunately, they have also compounded the problem by engaging in illegal dumping of waste. Therefore, this study is set out to analyse the determinants of choice of service providers viewed from income angle and differences in charges. The result did not find income as a significant factor determining the choice of a particular waste service provider. Differences in service charges, however, is a significant factor determining the choice of a waste service provider. Income has no significant role in dumping behaviour in Lagos State, but high waste service charges encourage dumping behaviour. Furthermore, over 65 percent of the interviewed cartpushers’ patrons indicated that they patronised the cartpushers because of non-availability of private sector participants (PSP) service providers. The study, therefore, recommends the proper review of the service charges, government may engage in cross–subsidy by utilizing the surplus receipts in the richer areas to subsidize the poorer households. In addition, government must create an enabling environment for the cartpushers to be legally integrated into the collection in low-income or squatter settlement areas. There is also a great need for proper enforcement of environmental legislations.