The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has dismissed videos and photographs circulating online as evidence of the current waste situation in Mushin, describing the materials as outdated and misleading.

The agency said on Sunday that sustained waste management operations over the past three weeks had improved conditions in the area, with Mushin described as clean following intensified collection efforts.

LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made this known in a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.

Gbadegesin said the authority had increased its presence in Mushin by deploying waste trucks into inner streets to collect refuse directly from homes and communities.

He added that the agency had also been working with market leaders and community representatives to identify service gaps and respond to complaints more quickly.

According to him, while there had been delays in waste collection in some locations, the situation had since improved following the authority’s intervention.

He urged residents not to rely on undated photographs or videos presented as recent evidence of conditions in the area.

Gbadegesin also warned residents against disposing of refuse on road medians and other unauthorised locations.

He advised communities experiencing delays in waste collection to report the situation through their Community Development Associations or local leaders so that LAWMA could arrange interim direct collection where necessary.

Residents and market representatives in Mushin also acknowledged the authority’s recent intervention.

A resident of Dakobiri Street, Taiwo Adenekan, said the arrival of LAWMA trucks in the area had improved waste disposal, particularly for residents and traders who previously faced difficulties getting rid of refuse.

The Babaloja of Irepodun Market, Mushin, Chief Samsideen Obawunmi, said engagement between LAWMA and market stakeholders had helped bring waste management concerns to the attention of the relevant authorities.

He added that traders were being encouraged to adopt proper waste disposal practices.

The General Secretary of Mushin Market, Alhaji Kazeem, similarly commended the authority for engaging community representatives and responding to complaints, saying direct collection from inner streets had provided residents with a more convenient disposal option.

Another resident, Owolabi Akinwande of Moroduke, Mushin, welcomed the initiative and urged residents to use community channels to alert LAWMA whenever collection delays occur.

The authority reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on indiscriminate dumping, particularly on road medians, and urged residents to properly package their waste and dispose of it through approved channels.

LAWMA said it would continue working with private sector operators, market associations, CDAs and other community stakeholders to strengthen waste collection in Mushin and other areas experiencing service challenges.

The agency urged residents to disregard old materials being circulated as current and to report genuine waste collection problems through the appropriate channels.