….Warns Transport Unions Over Indiscriminate Dumping
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Special Task Force to oversee the immediate evacuation of refuse across transport parks, bus stops and garages in the metropolis, while issuing a strong warning against indiscriminate waste disposal and the proliferation of shanties within motor parks.
The move is part of renewed efforts to restore cleanliness and environmental order in Africa’s most populous city, following a directive by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a 24-hour scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the state.
Speaking at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of transport unions in Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the initiative became necessary due to the persistent abuse of public spaces by some residents and operators.
“Our beautiful city is being challenged by indiscriminate refuse disposal and environmental abuse. We cannot fold our arms while people dump waste on roads, medians and public spaces. This is totally unacceptable,” Osiyemi said.
He stressed that while the government remains committed to enforcement, collaboration with transport unions is critical, given their presence across parks and garages.
“We are not abandoning this responsibility, neither are we doing it alone. What we are asking for is collaboration because this fight is for all of us,” he added.
Osiyemi warned that individuals found engaging in illegal waste disposal would henceforth face consequences, noting that transport unions must take ownership of cleanliness in their operational areas.
He also directed union leaders to ensure that garages, bus stops and parks are properly maintained, free from illegal trading and shanties, and supported by designated cleaners and monitoring representatives.
“Our roads are being littered every day. Before you can enforce discipline outside, your own garages must be in order,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, described transport operators as key stakeholders in maintaining public order and security, urging them to support environmental enforcement efforts.
“Transport workers are part of the security architecture of society. When you see something, say something,” he said.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the state generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, warning that indiscriminate dumping must stop.
“We need your support. Lagos is our home and we must keep it clean. Waste should be collected from homes and taken to designated points, not dumped on roads,” he said.
He also cautioned against the return of street trading around bus stops and newly rehabilitated roads, describing it as a threat to urban renewal investments.
Former Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, said the newly inaugurated task force would work with transport unions to enforce sanitation standards, remove illegal structures and improve the cleanliness and safety of transport facilities.
Responding on behalf of transport unions, leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) pledged cooperation with the government, while calling for a structured engagement platform to enhance monitoring and response across transport corridors.
The state government, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the waste challenge, noting that Lagos generates one of the highest volumes of refuse in Africa but has the capacity to manage it effectively.
Officials assured residents that the current situation is temporary and that ongoing interventions will soon restore full environmental order across the state.
