Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed an intensified waste evacuation exercise across the state in response to increasing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several communities.
The governor announced that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Ministry of Environment have been tasked with accelerating cleanup operations across affected areas.
According to him, additional trucks and personnel have been deployed to clear waste backlogs, with sanitation teams working continuously to restore cleanliness across the state.
Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that Lagos produces more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making effective waste management a major responsibility that requires significant coordination and resources.
He urged residents to support government efforts by properly disposing of waste, using designated collection systems, and avoiding the dumping of refuse in drainage channels, roads and other unauthorized locations.
Recent assessments of waste management conditions across Lagos revealed growing concerns over delayed waste collection, rising operational costs for waste operators and increasing refuse build-up in several communities.
Residents in different parts of the state have reported irregular waste collection schedules, while waste management operators cited high diesel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and transportation challenges as factors affecting service delivery.
Environmental experts have warned that poor waste disposal practices can contribute to flooding, environmental pollution and the spread of diseases, especially during the rainy season when blocked drainage systems become a major concern.
Experts have also called for long-term reforms, including expanded recycling initiatives, stronger enforcement against illegal dumping, investment in modern waste-processing facilities and improved collaboration between government agencies, private operators and local communities.
The state government, however, says its immediate focus remains the rapid clearance of accumulated refuse while working toward a cleaner and safer environment for residents.
