Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has increased the tariff charges for waste disposal by 100% in the state, attributing the hike to increase in diesel price and devaluation of the Nigerian currency.
The latest hike in waste disposal was conveyed in letters sent to residents of the states on Monday by the third-party company involved in the waste management, stating that the new prices would take effect in November.
A copy of one the letters sent by one of the third-parties -TUNAP WASTE COMPANY LIMITED – reads: “Due to the rise in the price of Diesel which recently has risen from N255.00 per litre to over N800 per litre as of today, and the high Exchange Rate which has affected the prices of various Spare Parts of our trucks gone up. We are constrained to increase our service charge to your facilities as stated below; A Room… N900 Monthly, N1,750 Monthly; N1,000 Monthly; A Self-contain/Domestic Shop… A Flat N2,000 Monthly; A Duplex… N3,500 Monthly.
“The new rate shall take effect from 1st of NOVEMBER 2022”, the company stressed.
Another letter by a third party company – EXCELLENS LINKS INT’L CO – indicated that the firm hinged the decision on the rising inflation rate in the country.
The letter reads: “Due to the astronomical rise in the cost of Diesel and Foreign Exchange which has pushed up the cost of delivering our services to you; ie Diesel which was sold for N225.00 per litre last year when we increased our tariff is now being sold for between N770.00-N820.00 per litre.
“Consequently, starting from November 1 2022, our services charges shall be: A room N900.00 Monthly. A self-Contain; N1,750.00 Monthly; From N1,000,00 Monthly (Depending on the A Domestic Shop volume of Waste Generated & Location)
“A Block of Flat. N2,000,00 Monthly; A Duplex N3,500.00 Monthly; A Shop Attachment N1,500.00 Monthly; A Warehouse N3,000,00(Minimum) Monthly; We are sorry for inconvenience. We hope for the recovery of our economy for the betterment of all.
“Thank you for your usual co-operation”, the company added.
However, some residents in the state have described the increase as totally insensitive due to what they termed “the worsening socio-economic conditions of Nigerians”.
A landlady at Abule-Egba axis of the metropolis, who simple identified herself as Stella, told our correspondent that “what LAWMA has just done is to add more burden to Lagosians, majority of who are finding it difficult to even get two meals now. This applies to landlords and tenants”.
Another resident, Joshua Akpe, who lives in Obalende, Lagos Island said: “We are tired of all these charges in Lagos State. The State Government is really worsening the conditions of the people as millions of residents can hardly eke out a living now in the state”.
