Lagos launches special task force to tackle waste management

…Warns Transport Unions Over Indiscriminate Dumping

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has launched a Special Task Force to manage the rapid removal of rubbish from transport parks, bus stops and garages across the city, while issuing a stern warning against careless waste disposal and the spread of shanties in motor parks.

This initiative follows Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for a 24‑hour scale‑up of waste evacuation operations throughout the state, as part of a broader campaign to restore cleanliness and environmental order in Africa’s largest city.

At an emergency stakeholders’ meeting with transport union leaders in Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi explained that the task force was necessary because some residents and operators continue to misuse public spaces.

“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 emphasized that the government remains committed to enforcement but stresses the need for collaboration with transport unions, 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 caught engaging in illegal waste disposal would face consequences, and urged transport unions to 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.

Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Egube also spoke, describing transport operators as key stakeholders in maintaining public order and security, and 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.

Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, noted that 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 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.

Representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) responded on behalf of transport unions, pledging 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.

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