Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Special Task Force to combat indiscriminate waste dumping across the state, enlisting transport union members as “waste police” to help enforce environmental sanitation standards in garages, bus stops, lay-bys, and other public spaces.
The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Alausa on Saturday, attended by senior government officials and leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, described the move as a call for greater collaboration between the government and transport stakeholders in addressing environmental challenges facing the state.
“Our beautiful city is being challenged by indiscriminate refuse disposal and environmental abuse. We cannot stand by while people dump waste on roads, medians, and public spaces. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Osiyemi emphasized that while the government remains committed to enforcing environmental laws, transport unions have a critical role to play because of their widespread presence across Lagos.
“We cannot be on every road at all times. What we are asking for is partnership. In collaboration with LAWMA, some of your members will serve as waste police to help monitor and report environmental violations,” he added.
The commissioner warned that offenders would face sanctions, stressing that the era of unchecked environmental abuse was over.
He also urged transport union leaders to ensure that parks, garages, and bus stops remain clean and orderly, while discouraging indiscriminate trading and the proliferation of makeshift structures that contribute to waste generation and environmental degradation.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Sam Egube, highlighted the strategic role transport workers can play in maintaining public order and security.
“Transport workers are an integral part of society’s security architecture. They see what happens on our roads and in our communities. When you see something, say something,” Egube said.
He expressed confidence that Lagos could overcome its environmental and social challenges through collective responsibility and stakeholder collaboration.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, underscoring the need for collective action to maintain a clean environment.
Gbadegesin commended transport unions for efficiently moving millions of commuters daily and urged them to channel the same level of discipline into supporting environmental sustainability.
“Lagos is our home, and we must keep it clean. Waste should be collected and disposed of at designated locations, not dumped on roads and public spaces,” he said.
He also called for an end to street trading around bus stops and newly constructed roads, warning that such activities undermine government investments in infrastructure and urban renewal.
A transportation stakeholder, Mr. Sola Giwa, assured the unions that the Special Task Force would work closely with them to enforce sanitation regulations, remove illegal structures, and maintain clean and safe transport facilities across the state.
In response, representatives of the transport unions pledged their support for the initiative and expressed readiness to partner with the government in promoting cleanliness and environmental sustainability across Lagos.
The inauguration of the task force forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to build a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable megacity for residents and visitors alike.
