By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has urged the government to adopt cost-reflective tariffs for waste management to ensure business sustainability.
Mr. Olugbenga Adebola, AWAMN President, emphasized that “cost recovery is essential for the survival of any business,” stressing that without it, effective waste management is impossible.
He explained that businesses must charge tariffs that reflect true operational costs, citing how sectors like telecommunications and power companies adjust their prices in response to inflation and exchange rates.
“Waste management has not seen similar price adjustments,” he pointed out, explaining that the last tariff increase was in 2022, even though diesel prices have surged dramatically since then.
Adebola further highlighted that the current tariff system fails to recover operational costs, with waste management operators struggling despite receiving small subsidies.
He stressed that without cost-reflective tariffs, the industry’s growth and efficiency would be compromised, preventing investments in necessary infrastructure like trucks and recycling systems.
