The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to address the persistent challenge of indiscriminate refuse dumping across the state by enlisting the support of transport workers under the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
The initiative was formally unveiled on Saturday during a joint press conference held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Transportation in Alausa, Ikeja. The briefing was jointly addressed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
The government said the collaboration is part of a broader strategy to strengthen environmental sanitation, improve public health, and ensure that roads and public spaces across Lagos remain clean and safe for residents.
Speaking during the press conference, Osiyemi expressed concern over the growing incidence of illegal refuse disposal on road medians, highways, and roadsides, describing the practice as a major environmental menace that threatens the state’s image and well-being.
According to the commissioner, the partnership with transport unions is expected to create an additional layer of surveillance across the state, leveraging the extensive presence of commercial transport operators who ply Lagos roads daily.
He explained that members of the transport unions would be encouraged to observe, report, and assist in identifying individuals who engage in unlawful dumping of waste in public spaces.
“The government can no longer tolerate the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on roadsides and medians. This harmful practice not only degrades the environment but also poses serious public health and safety risks. We are therefore seeking the cooperation of transport workers who are present across different parts of the state and can serve as partners in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations,” Osiyemi said.
The commissioner noted that Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s largest cities, generates significant volumes of waste daily, making effective waste management a shared responsibility between government agencies and residents.
He stressed that maintaining a clean environment requires collective action, adding that transport workers occupy a strategic position in society because of their daily interactions with commuters and communities.
Osiyemi further explained that the initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability and urban renewal. He urged residents to make use of designated waste disposal channels rather than resorting to illegal dumping.
The commissioner warned that individuals caught violating environmental laws would face sanctions in accordance with existing regulations.
Also speaking at the event, LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency had continued to witness instances of refuse being dumped on road medians, drainage channels, and other unauthorized locations despite sustained awareness campaigns and waste collection services.
He described the development as unacceptable and capable of undermining government efforts to create a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
Gbadegesin emphasized that indiscriminate waste disposal contributes significantly to environmental degradation, flooding, and the spread of diseases. According to him, waste dumped on roadsides often finds its way into drainage systems, obstructing the free flow of water and increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
He said LAWMA remains committed to strengthening waste management systems across the state while educating residents on proper disposal practices.
The LAWMA boss praised the decision to involve transport unions in the campaign, noting that their widespread presence across communities would greatly enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts.
“Transport workers are stakeholders in the development of Lagos.
They operate in virtually every part of the state and can help identify environmental offenders. Their participation will contribute significantly to our mission of keeping Lagos clean and sustainable,” Gbadegesin stated.
The partnership is expected to include sensitization programmes, stakeholder engagement sessions, and coordinated monitoring activities aimed at discouraging illegal dumping and promoting responsible waste disposal habits among residents.
Officials at the briefing reiterated that environmental cleanliness is not solely the responsibility of government agencies but a civic duty that requires the participation of every resident.
They appealed to Lagosians to support the initiative by disposing of waste through approved channels and reporting environmental violations to relevant authorities.
The state government also assured residents that efforts would continue to improve waste collection services and environmental infrastructure while strengthening enforcement measures against offenders.
Observers have described the collaboration between the government and transport unions as an innovative approach that could significantly improve compliance with environmental regulations if effectively implemented.
As Lagos continues to grapple with the challenges associated with rapid urbanization and population growth, authorities believe that partnerships with key stakeholders such as transport workers will play a crucial role in maintaining environmental standards and preserving public health.
With the latest initiative, the state government is hoping to send a strong message that illegal refuse dumping will no longer be tolerated and that every resident has a role to play in building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.
