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ZoomLion delivers Olusosun Landfill upgrade in 26 days, strengthens partnership with Lagos on waste management – EnviroNews
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In what looks like a significant milestone for environmental sustainability and urban waste management, the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in partnership with ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, has officially commissioned the newly rehabilitated access road and dumping platforms at the Olusosun Landfill.
The commissioning ceremony is said to mark another step in Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to modernise its waste management infrastructure while reinforcing public-private collaboration aimed at improving sanitation and environmental sustainability across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Habiba Abubakar, described the successful completion of the project within just 26 days as a demonstration of the company’s commitment to delivering results despite challenging timelines.
She expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, LAWMA, and other stakeholders for their confidence in the company.
“I want to thank the Governor of Lagos State, the Honourable Commissioner, the Managing Director of LAWMA, our stakeholders, everyone from LAWMA, my colleagues, and especially our ZoomLion engineers in blue,” she said.
Mrs. Abubakar revealed that the ambitious rehabilitation project was initially expected to be completed within 21 days. However, unforeseen technical challenges forced the project team to request an additional five days.
“We gave ourselves 21 days. On the 20th day, Engineer Francis called and said we might have an issue. I told him I could never return to Lagos State and say we couldn’t deliver the project. He asked for five more days, and today I can proudly say we completed it in 26 days. That is what ZoomLion does.”
She reserved special recognition for the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, describing him as the visionary behind ZoomLion’s expansion across Africa.
“The most important person for ZoomLion is not here today, but he sends his love. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong is the man with the vision. Twenty-five years ago, he dreamt of building an environmental services company that would transform waste management across Africa. Today, that vision has taken us to Ghana, Kenya and several other African countries. We are in Lagos because of his vision.”
Addressing concerns regarding the company’s ownership, Mrs. Abubakar emphasised that ZoomLion Nigeria is fully committed to Nigeria’s economic development.
“Our chairman may be Ghanaian, but he entrusted me with the responsibility of running ZoomLion Nigeria. This is a Nigerian company, operated by Nigerians and committed to delivering lasting environmental solutions for Nigeria.”
She stressed that the Olusosun rehabilitation project represents only the beginning of ZoomLion’s partnership with Lagos State.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. We don’t believe in making promises; we believe in delivering results. By the grace of God, we will return to commission more projects, including transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities.”
Responding to questions from journalists after the commissioning, Mrs. Abubakar explained that the project’s durability would depend on proper maintenance and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders.
She noted that the rehabilitation forms part of a broader environmental partnership rather than a one-off intervention.
“Our responsibility goes beyond constructing facilities. We are partners with the Lagos State Government in building sustainable waste management systems. We are committed to supporting initiatives that improve communities and protect the environment.”
She further disclosed that future projects would include the development of transfer loading stations and modern material recovery facilities to improve waste collection, sorting and recycling across Lagos.
“Eventually, waste collected from different locations will be transported to transfer stations before moving to treatment and recycling facilities. Whether it is organic waste, plastics or other recyclable materials, our goal is to recover value from waste instead of simply disposing of it.”
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended ZoomLion Nigeria for responding swiftly to the state’s request for support despite the project not being part of the company’s initial contractual obligations.
“We saw the need to modernise this critical section of the Olusosun Landfill. We reached out to ZoomLion, and they responded immediately. This was beyond what they originally signed up to do, and we sincerely appreciate their commitment.”
Dr. Gbadegesin also applauded the company’s leadership and workforce for their professionalism and dedication to improving waste management operations in Lagos.
He expressed gratitude to the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) and private sector participants for their patience and resilience throughout the rehabilitation period.
While reaffirming LAWMA’s commitment to improving environmental sanitation, he urged Lagos residents to embrace waste sorting at source to reduce landfill pressure and improve recycling.
“We appeal to residents to separate plastics, metals, glass and other recyclable materials from general waste. Recycling companies can collect these materials separately, and doing so will significantly improve our waste management system.”
He added that LAWMA would continue working closely with its partners to develop more efficient methods for waste collection, recycling and disposal.
Similarly, the National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, praised the collaborative efforts between the Lagos State Government, LAWMA and ZoomLion Nigeria.
He described the rehabilitation as evidence of what can be achieved through effective public-private partnerships and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting reforms aimed at improving waste evacuation across the state.
Dr. Adebola also encouraged residents to actively participate in waste separation and proper disposal practices, stressing that sustainable waste management requires collective responsibility.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ogedengbe Sunday Oluwadamilare, one of the waste truck drivers who facilitated operations at the landfill, commended LAWMA and ZoomLion for the intervention.
He noted that the rehabilitated access road and dumping platforms would significantly improve operational efficiency, reduce turnaround time for waste trucks and make daily operations safer for drivers and sanitation workers.
The newly rehabilitated infrastructure is expected to ease traffic within the Olusosun Landfill, improve waste evacuation, reduce operational delays and strengthen Lagos State’s ongoing drive toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.
The project further underscores the growing partnership between the Lagos State Government and ZoomLion Nigeria Limited in advancing modern waste management infrastructure, recycling initiatives and environmental sustainability, with both parties expressing optimism that the collaboration will deliver even more transformative projects in the near future.
By Ajibola Adedoye
