Health
Lagos mobilises transport unions against indiscriminate waste dumping
Ayoola Babalola
The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Special Task Force to curb indiscriminate waste dumping across the metropolis, with a focus on roads, bus stops, garages and lay-bys.
The initiative will involve members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, who will serve as environmental monitors to report sanitation violations, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced on Sunday.
Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the strategy reflected the need for collaboration between government and transport unions in addressing environmental abuse across the state.
“Tackling environmental abuse requires collaboration between government and transport unions, and offenders will face sanctions,” Osiyemi said.
He directed transport union leaders to maintain cleanliness in parks and garages, discourage street trading, and remove illegal structures contributing to waste accumulation.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, said transport workers played a key role in maintaining public order and security, urging them to support efforts to keep the state clean and safe by reporting suspicious activities.
Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily and stressed the importance of preventing illegal dumping.
“Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, and we must work together to stop dumping on roads and ensure proper waste management,” he said.
He called on transport unions to discourage street trading around bus stops and newly constructed roads.
Stakeholder Sola Giwa assured the unions of government support in enforcing sanitation standards, removing illegal shanties, and maintaining clean transport environments.
In response, representatives of NURTW and RTEAN pledged their commitment to the initiative, promising to support enforcement efforts and promote environmental sanitation across Lagos.
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