Real estate developers in Lagos State have asked the state House of Assembly to intervene in a dispute over levies imposed by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, on construction materials.
The Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State, AREDOLS, petitioned the lawmakers over what it described as LAWMA’s misclassification of construction materials as waste. The association urged the Assembly to direct the agency to stop imposing levies and penalties on materials used in building projects.
AREDOLS Chairman, Kamil Shodeinde, and General Secretary, Ahmod Olukotun, presented the position in a petition dated August 10. The petition was titled: “Urgent Petition on LAWMA’s Neglect of Its Primary Responsibility on Domestic Waste Management and Misclassification of Construction Materials as Waste.”
The developers faulted LAWMA’s classification of items including planks, derricks and other materials as construction waste. According to the association, the materials remain useful and recyclable components of construction activities rather than waste requiring disposal.
“We wish to state categorically that these items are recyclable materials used for construction purposes and not waste in the ordinary sense,” the petition stated.
The developers argued that the classification had resulted in additional financial obligations for developers and people purchasing homes. They said the resulting levies and penalties were increasing construction expenses at a time when housing costs were already placing pressure on residents.
“The misclassification and attendant levies and penalties are imposing an undue financial burden on developers and end users, thereby worsening the cost of housing and construction in Lagos,” the association said.
Beyond the disputed LAWMA construction levies, AREDOLS also called for an investigation into the agency’s handling of domestic waste across Lagos State. The association questioned whether LAWMA was adequately performing its primary responsibility of managing domestic waste.
AREDOLS also raised concerns about the categorisation of waste into domestic, medical and industrial categories. It argued that the different categories require separate systems for collection, treatment and disposal because of their varying characteristics and potential risks. The association therefore urged the House of Assembly to examine LAWMA’s classification framework and determine whether construction materials should fall under the waste category attracting the disputed charges.
The developers asked the lawmakers to review LAWMA’s classification of construction-related materials and address what they described as unnecessary financial pressure on the real estate sector. They maintained that removing inappropriate levies and penalties would help reduce some of the costs borne by developers and ultimately home buyers.
AREDOLS said legislative intervention was necessary to clarify the distinction between genuine construction waste and materials that remain recyclable or useful within building projects. The association urged the Assembly to act on the petition and ensure that waste-management policies do not inadvertently increase the cost of housing and construction in Lagos.
