The Lagos State Government has refuted reports suggesting that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been assigned to assume the responsibilities of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, or to arrest individuals for environmental violations.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, describing the claims circulating on social media as misleading.
The clarification comes in response to reports and viral graphics alleging that the government had empowered NURTW members to act as “waste police” or replace KAI in enforcement duties.
Wahab stressed that recent engagements between the state government and transport unions were not intended to transfer or replace the statutory role of LAGESC.
He explained that LAGESC, working alongside the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the legally authorised body responsible for environmental enforcement.
“As we are all aware, several environmental challenges persist within parks, garages, and the public transportation ecosystem, including illegal trading activities and the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and within transport facilities,” Wahab said.
He added that the discussions with transport unions were aimed at encouraging cooperation, shared responsibility, and improved sanitation practices within parks and garages.
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“This partnership does not in any way diminish, transfer, or replace the enforcement responsibilities of LAGESC and the Task Force. Rather, it is a complementary initiative designed to strengthen environmental compliance, sanitation standards, and stakeholder participation in maintaining a cleaner environment across the state,” he stated.
Wahab further reassured residents that maintaining environmental cleanliness remains a core priority of the state government.
“We therefore 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,” the statement added.