Evaluation Of Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation Methods at Ojota, Lagos

Effective municipal solid waste collection and transportation are essential to maintaining environmental quality and urban liveability, particularly in rapidly urbanising cities such as Lagos. This study evaluates waste collection and transportation practices in Ojota, Lagos, Nigeria, with emphasis on service reliability, collection conditions, transportation challenges, and factors affecting operational effectiveness. A descriptive survey design with quantitative and qualitative components was adopted. Primary data were obtained through a structured questionnaire administered to 53 residents, traders, and commuters in Ojota, while open-ended responses were thematically analysed to complement descriptive statistics. The findings indicate persistent weaknesses in the waste-management system. Collection services were characterised by irregular schedules, frequent missed collections, inadequate collection points, and limited communication of service changes. Respondents also reported poor vehicle conditions, traffic-related delays, vehicle breakdowns, waste spillage, and pollution associated with transportation activities. Inadequate infrastructure, poor road conditions, insufficient manpower and equipment, weak household disposal practices, and limited community participation further constrained service effectiveness. Overall satisfaction with waste collection and evacuation was low, reflecting the relationship between unreliable collection and dissatisfaction with service delivery. The study recommends improving collection scheduling and communication, strengthening vehicle maintenance and collection infrastructure, improving route planning and operational monitoring, increasing public awareness and source segregation, and establishing appropriate mechanisms for coordinating informal waste collectors. These measures provide a context-specific basis for improving the reliability and efficiency of waste collection and transportation in Ojota.