The Lagos State Government has commenced enforcement actions against indiscriminate waste dumping on roads, directing motor parks and garages across the state to maintain strict sanitation standards and ensure proper waste disposal practices.
The directive was issued during a stakeholders’ meeting over the weekend by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, as part of efforts to implement Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive for the emergency evacuation of waste from roads across the state.
Osiyemi said transport unions must take responsibility for keeping their parks and garages clean while discouraging indiscriminate trading and illegal waste disposal within their operational areas.
According to him, enforcement activities will be carried out in collaboration with relevant government agencies and transport unions to improve environmental sanitation across Lagos.
He announced that the state would establish a “Waste Police” made up of members of transport unions across all local government areas to monitor compliance within motor parks and surrounding environments.
“Transport unions must ensure that their parks and garages are always kept clean and discourage indiscriminate trading and improper waste disposal within their areas of operation,” he said.
“The Ministry would commence enforcement activities to ensure that all motor parks and garages are properly maintained and that waste is disposed of appropriately,” he added.
The commissioner stressed that roads are not refuse dumps, warning that the newly introduced Waste Police will monitor and enforce compliance across parks and garages statewide.
The initiative involves collaboration between the Lagos State 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).
Lagos State Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, said transport operators globally work with governments to support infrastructure management and urged stakeholders to fully cooperate with the sanitation drive.
Similarly, Hon. Sola Giwa urged transport unions to take ownership of waste management responsibilities within their parks and garages.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, noted that effective waste management requires collaboration beyond government agencies.
He disclosed that LAWMA evacuates about 13,000 tons of waste daily across Lagos, while transport unions facilitate the movement of an estimated 22 million commuters every day, making their partnership crucial to environmental cleanliness.
Gbadegesin added that closer cooperation with transport unions would improve waste reporting mechanisms and reduce indiscriminate dumping in communities.
The latest enforcement drive follows earlier measures by the state government aimed at curbing illegal waste disposal and improving environmental compliance across Lagos.
In June 2025, the state government introduced strict penalties for environmental violations, including fines of up to ₦250,000 or three months’ imprisonment for illegal dumping or littering.
Repeat offenders face stiffer sanctions under existing environmental laws.
Authorities have also warned that dumping waste in drains, road medians and setbacks contributes to flooding, public health risks and environmental degradation.
Developers and construction operators have similarly been cautioned against dumping building materials on roads or drainage channels, with offenders liable to prosecution and possible sealing of structures.
The Lagos State Government said it will sustain enforcement operations to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promote cleaner, safer public spaces across the state.
