The Lagos State Government has ordered an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the state following growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several communities.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu issued the directive as residents raised complaints about uncollected waste in parts of Lagos, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to restore normal sanitation services.
In a statement released on Thursday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gbenga Akosile, the government assured residents that the situation was receiving urgent attention and that measures were already being implemented to address the challenge.
“The Lagos State Government acknowledges the concerns of residents regarding the recent accumulation of refuse in some parts of the state and wishes to assure Lagosians that the situation is receiving the highest level of attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire machinery of government,” the statement said.
The government noted that it understood the inconvenience caused by the waste build-up and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
“We are not oblivious to the inconveniences and concerns occasioned by the situation. Lagosians deserve a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city, and this administration remains fully committed to delivering on that obligation,” the statement added.
According to Akosile, additional resources have been deployed to support waste evacuation operations, while strategic measures are being introduced to improve waste collection and disposal efficiency across the state.
The governor has also directed key environmental agencies, including the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other relevant bodies, to intensify their operations.
The state government highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of Africa’s highest waste-producing cities.
Despite the current difficulties, authorities described the situation as temporary and said significant progress had already been made in some areas.
“We wish to reassure residents that this challenge is temporary. Indeed, substantial progress is already being recorded in several locations, and more improvements will become visible across the state in the days ahead,” Akosile stated.
The government also called on residents, businesses, market associations and community leaders to support ongoing sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding activities that block roads, drainage systems and designated waste collection points.
It reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health, maintaining environmental standards and ensuring a cleaner Lagos for all residents.
