Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign over the heaps of refuse littering major roads, residential areas and drainage channels across the state.

An insider within the agency told Punch that the governor had become increasingly dissatisfied with Gbadegesin’s handling of the waste management crisis and advised him to step down over the weekend.

The source said Sanwo-Olu’s displeasure followed concerns over the slow pace of waste evacuation and the agency chief’s alleged failure to act promptly on directives aimed at addressing the situation.

“The governor was at the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota a month ago and was dissatisfied with the state of things.

He gave instructions that immediate action be taken on the matter, as he has declared a state of emergency on waste management.

“The governor was upset when he observed that the situation had not improved despite his clear directive. So, over the weekend, he asked him to resign, although he is begging and has reached out to some prominent Lagosians to beg on his behalf,” the source said.

The development comes amid widespread complaints from residents about uncollected refuse in several parts of Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu had earlier declared a state of emergency on waste management and ordered urgent measures to improve the situation.