The Lagos State Government has launched a dedicated task force aimed at removing rubbish from transport parks, bus stops, and garages across the city, while issuing a stern caution against illegal dumping and the proliferation of unauthorized structures in these areas.
This action is part of a broader push to restore environmental order in Africa’s largest city, prompted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for an intensified 24-hour waste removal campaign statewide.
During an urgent meeting with transport union officials in Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, Transportation Commissioner Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi stated that the move was required due to the ongoing abuse of public areas by certain residents and transport operators.
He noted that the government could no longer overlook the escalating issue of trash being carelessly discarded on roads, medians, and other communal zones.
“Our city is being marred by reckless waste disposal and environmental degradation. We cannot sit idle while people litter roadsides, medians, and open spaces. This behavior is completely intolerable,” Osiyemi remarked.
He stressed that while enforcement will be ramped up, working with transport unions is vital since they operate extensively across parks and garages throughout the state.
“We are not shirking our duty, nor are we going it alone. We seek cooperation because this battle belongs to everyone,” he added.
Osiyemi warned that individuals caught dumping waste illegally will face penalties and urged transport unions to take charge of cleanliness in their work areas.
He further instructed union leaders to ensure that bus stops, garages, and parks remain well-maintained, free from street hawking and makeshift shelters, and equipped with proper sanitation staff and monitoring systems.
“Our streets are being soiled daily. Before you can enforce order elsewhere, your own garages must be tidy,” he said.
Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Sam Egube also spoke, describing transport operators as crucial to the state’s security and environmental management network, and urged them to back enforcement initiatives.
“Transport workers are integral to the security fabric of society. If you observe something, speak up,” he stated.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), disclosed that the state generates roughly 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, emphasizing the need to curb indiscriminate dumping.
He called for greater collaboration from transport operators, highlighting that waste must be properly gathered and delivered to approved sites rather than abandoned on roadsides.
“We need your help. Lagos is our home, and we must keep it clean. Waste should be collected from residences and taken to designated points, not thrown onto streets,” he said.
Gbadegesin also warned against the return of street vending near bus stops and newly repaired roads, calling it a setback to ongoing urban renewal projects.
Former Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, explained that the newly formed task force will collaborate with transport unions to enforce sanitation regulations, remove illegal structures, and enhance safety and cleanliness at transport hubs.
In response, leaders from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) expressed support for the initiative while requesting a structured engagement system to improve coordination along transport routes.
The state government reaffirmed its dedication to tackling waste management challenges, noting that although Lagos produces one of the highest volumes of refuse in Africa, it also possesses the capability to handle it effectively.
Officials reassured residents that current environmental issues are temporary and that ongoing measures will soon restore full cleanliness and order throughout the state.