The Lagos State Government has launched a Special Task Force aimed at the immediate removal of refuse from bus stops, garages, and transport terminals throughout the city. This move, ordered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeks to end the practice of illegal dumping and the buildup of unauthorized structures in transit areas as part of a 24-hour cleanup mandate.
Transportation Commissioner Oluwaseun Osiyemi, addressing union leaders in Alausa, Ikeja, stated that the intervention was prompted by the frequent misuse of public areas by residents and transport workers. He emphasized that the government will no longer tolerate the disposal of waste on roads and medians, warning that strict enforcement measures will follow for violators. Transport unions are now expected to manage the cleanliness of their own facilities, including removing shanties and preventing street trading.
Deputy Chief of Staff Sam Egube highlighted the role of transport workers in maintaining public security, while Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), noted that Lagos produces approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily. Gbadegesin stressed that waste must be transported to authorized disposal sites instead of being left on roadsides. Sola Giwa, a former Special Adviser on Transportation, added that the task force will collaborate with unions to uphold sanitation standards and safety.
Leaders from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have committed to supporting the initiative, requesting a formal system to improve cooperation. Government officials expressed confidence that these measures will effectively address the state’s waste management challenges and restore order to the city’s infrastructure.
