Lagos to Launch “Waste Police” in Crackdown on Roadside Dumping

The Lagos State government has declared a zero-tolerance policy on the indiscriminate dumping of waste, announcing plans to establish a special “Waste Police” to enforce environmental laws across the state.

The new initiative, unveiled on Saturday, is a key component of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s strategy to restore cleanliness to roads, motor parks, and transport corridors. The move addresses growing concerns over rampant refuse disposal and illegal street trading that have plagued the city.

This decision followed a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). All parties agreed to enhance collaboration to maintain sanitation within transport facilities.

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Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Transportation, emphasized the crucial role of transport unions in keeping motor parks and garages clean. He stated that operators must take ownership of their environments, discouraging illegal trading and improper waste disposal.

“The Ministry will soon begin enforcement activities to ensure all transport facilities comply with environmental standards,” Osiyemi said, stressing that roads are not designated dumpsites. He warned that the government will no longer tolerate actions that undermine its sanitation goals.

To bolster enforcement, Osiyemi announced the formation of the “Waste Police,” a unit comprised of members from transport unions across the state’s local government areas. This unit will be tasked with monitoring motor parks and surrounding communities to prevent illegal dumping.

“The Waste Police will serve as the eyes and ears of the government within the transport sector,” he explained. “Their responsibility will be to ensure that refuse is not dumped indiscriminately and that environmental standards are maintained at all times.”

Sam Egube, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, noted that the initiative aligns with global best practices where transport operators collaborate with governments to protect public infrastructure. He urged stakeholders to support the effort to tackle poor waste management, highlighting that clean transport corridors improve public health and urban sustainability.

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Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, called on the NURTW and RTEAN leadership to ensure full compliance with sanitation directives in all parks and garages under their purview. He noted that the success of the program hinges on the transport operators’ ability to enforce discipline among their members.

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA, praised the transport unions for their support and urged deeper commitment. He pointed out that managing waste in a megacity like Lagos requires a collective effort beyond government agencies alone.

Gbadegesin revealed the scale of the challenge, stating that LAWMA evacuates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily. He identified the transport unions, which move an estimated 22 million commuters each day, as strategic partners in promoting environmental awareness.

“The presence of transport union members across the state presents a unique opportunity to strengthen environmental monitoring and encourage responsible waste management at the grassroots level,” Gbadegesin said. He called for closer collaboration to ensure cleaner parks and urged union members to report illegal dumping for swift action against offenders.