LAWMA Levies: AREDOLS petitions Lagos Assembly, says charges driving up housing costs

…Developers demand end to penalties on construction materials

By Adebola Muili

The Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State (AREDOLS) has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly over levies and penalties imposed by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on construction materials, saying the charges are driving up the cost of housing in the state.

The developers urged the lawmakers to intervene and direct LAWMA to stop treating materials such as planks, derricks and other reusable construction materials as waste, arguing that the classification has subjected developers to additional financial burdens that are ultimately passed on to prospective homeowners.

The petition, dated August 10, 2026, was signed by AREDOLS Chairman, Alhaji Kamil Shodeinde, and General Secretary, Chief Ahmod Olukotun.

In the petition, titled “Urgent Petition on LAWMA’s Neglect of Its Primary Responsibility on Domestic Waste Management and Misclassification of Construction Materials as Waste,” the association called for legislative intervention over what it described as inappropriate categorisation of construction materials and the financial implications of the practice.

AREDOLS maintained that planks, derricks and other materials used on construction sites should not automatically be classified as waste, particularly where they remain useful or recyclable.

According to the developers, the levies and penalties imposed on such materials are adding to construction costs and making it more difficult for developers to deliver affordable housing.

The association therefore called on the House of Assembly to investigate the matter, review LAWMA’s classification of construction materials and direct the agency to stop imposing what it described as inappropriate charges on developers.

AREDOLS also raised concerns over what it described as inadequate management of domestic waste in parts of Lagos, urging the Assembly to ensure that LAWMA remains focused on its primary responsibility of effective waste evacuation and management.

The developers argued that while proper waste management was essential to maintaining a healthy environment, the enforcement of levies on reusable construction materials should not further increase the financial burden on the real estate sector.

They appealed to the lawmakers to intervene in the interest of developers and home seekers, stressing that additional regulatory charges ultimately have implications for the affordability of housing in Lagos.