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Lagos steps up waste evacuation efforts, clarifies transport unions’ role in sanitation enforcement – EnviroNews
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The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has reassured residents of the state that comprehensive measures are being implemented to improve waste evacuation across Lagos, as government intensifies efforts to strengthen operational efficiency, expand waste management infrastructure, and enhance environmental sanitation.
Speaking on ongoing interventions by the authority, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, acknowledged the operational challenges affecting waste evacuation in some parts of the state and assured residents that the government was actively implementing immediate, medium- and long-term solutions to improve service delivery.
According to him, recent operational pressures were partly linked to challenges associated with access to disposal facilities, particularly during the peak of the rainy season.
Dr. Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA’s waste-to-wealth partner, ZoomLion Nigeria Limited, had commenced preliminary works to stabilise and reopen Road E at the Olusosun facility, a critical intervention expected to improve access, reduce turnaround time, and enhance operational efficiency at the site.
He further stated that the authority had resuscitated and optimised the use of Transfer Loading Stations (TLSs) across the state as a stop-gap measure to facilitate quicker evacuation of waste from communities while ongoing infrastructure improvements continued.
The LAWMA boss said that government was also taking steps to support the acquisition of additional waste collection vehicles by PSP operators, adding that the expected deployment of 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compactor trucks would significantly boost waste evacuation capacity across Lagos, while 10 new compactor trucks donated by the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Board had already been deployed to strengthen waste collection operations.
According to him, government had intensified enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental infractions, while recently constituting a coordinated Waste Police initiative involving key stakeholders, including transport unions and community groups, to strengthen environmental compliance and discourage illegal dumping.
He added that the government was also exploring inter-state collaboration to complement existing waste disposal infrastructure, improve operational flexibility, and support more efficient waste evacuation across Lagos State.
Dr. Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA’s disposal facilities received over 418,500 tonnes of waste in May 2026, despite operational challenges experienced during the period, adding that 3,000 blackspots were being cleared daily through ongoing sanitation interventions, while government continued to invest in infrastructure, equipment, and operational improvements aimed at strengthening service delivery across the State.
The LAWMA boss also highlighted the ongoing construction of new Transfer Loading Stations at Olusosun and Solous III, noting that the facilities would collectively divert up to 4,000 tonnes of waste daily to recycling and treatment facilities upon completion, significantly reducing pressure on disposal sites, advancing the state’s circular economy objectives, and complementing government’s broader commitment to modernising waste management through increased investment in recycling, material recovery, waste diversion, and other sustainable waste-to-resource initiatives.
Dr. Gbadegesin urged residents to continue to patronise approved PSP operators, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, and support ongoing government efforts to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment.
He reassured residents that the current operational challenges were being actively addressed and that service levels would improve progressively as the various interventions took effect.
He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to continuously improving waste management services and assured residents that all relevant stakeholders were working diligently to restore optimal service levels across affected communities.
Meanwhile, the state government has dismissed claims that transport unions are being empowered to assume the environmental enforcement responsibilities of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made the clarification in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
He said the recent engagement between the state government and transport unions was aimed at strengthening environmental compliance within parks, garages and other transport facilities across the state.
According to him, LAGESC, working in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the legally empowered environmental enforcement agency under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
Wahab said the initiative was designed to promote collaboration and shared responsibility among stakeholders in addressing sanitation challenges within the transportation sector.
“Several environmental challenges persist within parks, garages and the public transportation ecosystem, including illegal trading activities and indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and within transport facilities.
“The engagement with transport unions is intended to promote cleanliness and proper waste management in their respective parks and garages, not to transfer enforcement responsibilities to them,” he said.
The commissioner said the partnership would complement, rather than replace, the statutory duties of environmental enforcement agencies in the state.
He added that the collaboration would strengthen sanitation standards, improve stakeholder participation and enhance compliance with environmental regulations.
Wahab reassured residents that environmental cleanliness remained a priority of the state government.
“We wish to reassure all Lagosians that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority of the Lagos State Government.
“We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and partners in our collective effort to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos,” he said.
The clarification followed public reactions to reports suggesting that transport unions had been granted authority to enforce environmental regulations in the state.
Lagos continues to grapple with environmental challenges associated with rapid urbanisation, population growth and increased commercial activities.
To address these challenges, the state government has intensified environmental enforcement, waste management reforms and public sensitisation campaigns through agencies such as LAGESC and the Environmental and Special Offences Task Force.
The government has also strengthened partnerships with community groups, market associations, private sector operators and transport unions to improve sanitation, curb indiscriminate waste disposal and promote environmental sustainability across the state.
In a related development, the Environmental Health and Waste Management Department of Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has warned residents against indiscriminate waste disposal.
The department gave the warning during the second day of its public sensitisation campaign on proper waste management on Tuesday in Lagos.
It decried the increasing rate of refuse dumping along roads and the associated health risks.
The sensitisation exercise, which commenced on June 22, aims to promote proper waste disposal and environmental cleanliness across communities, in line with the Lagos State Government’s clean and healthy environment policy.
Speaking during the exercise, the team leader, Mrs. Ajoke Salami, said the council had provided a waste compactor to enhance refuse collection.
Salami said the awareness campaign was aimed at encouraging residents to comply with proper waste management practices.
She warned against indiscriminate refuse disposal, especially on road medians and major highways.
According to her, such acts constitute environmental offences punishable under existing regulations.
“The indiscriminate dumping of waste not only defaces the environment but also contributes to flooding, environmental pollution and public health challenges.
“The council’s waste compactor has become operational and will be deployed across communities for the evacuation of accumulated refuse,” she said.
Salami commended the council leadership for the initiative.
She said the measure would improve sanitation standards, reduce environmental hazards and enhance environmental cleanliness across communities in the LCDA.
By Fabian Ekeruche and Uchenna Eletuo
