The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to create a “Waste Police” unit as part of renewed efforts to enforce environmental sanitation laws and curb the dumping of refuse on roads across the state.
In a statement, the government also announced a strict zero-tolerance stance on indiscriminate waste disposal, following a directive from Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for an emergency clean-up and evacuation of refuse along road networks.
The decision was reached during a meeting involving the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Held on Saturday at the Ministry of Transportation, the meeting brought together key stakeholders to strengthen sanitation practices in motor parks, garages, and surrounding roads.
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stressed that transport unions must maintain cleanliness in their parks and discourage street trading and improper waste disposal.
He also said enforcement would soon begin to ensure compliance with proper park management and waste disposal standards.
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Reaffirming the government’s position, Osiyemi stated that roads must not be used as dumpsites and disclosed that a Waste Police unit would be formed, drawn from transport unions across all local government areas.
According to him, the proposed team will monitor motor parks and surrounding areas to prevent illegal dumping of refuse.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, noted that transport operators in other countries work closely with governments to manage infrastructure effectively, urging collaboration among stakeholders.
Hon. Sola Giwa also called on NURTW and RTEAN to fully embrace their roles as partners in waste control by ensuring strict compliance in motor parks and garages.
LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended transport unions for supporting the renewed sanitation drive and urged them to sustain their cooperation.
He emphasised that waste management requires collective responsibility, noting that LAWMA alone cannot handle the challenge.
Dr. Gbadegesin revealed that “LAWMA evacuates about 13,000 tons of waste daily across Lagos, while the transport unions move an estimated 22 million commuters every day.”
He added that collaboration was essential to ensure proper waste disposal and reduce indiscriminate dumping around parks and transport corridors.
“LAWMA would continue to work closely with the unions, leveraging their presence across the State to monitor roads, motor parks and surrounding communities, urging them to report cases of indiscriminate waste disposal for prompt action,” he said.