The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Special Task Force to curb indiscriminate waste dumping across the state, with members of transport unions enlisted to help monitor and report environmental violations.
Under the initiative, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) will collaborate with relevant government agencies as “waste police” to tackle illegal waste disposal on roads, bus stops, garages and lay-bys.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said addressing environmental abuse requires strong collaboration between the government and transport unions.
He warned that individuals found violating sanitation regulations would face appropriate sanctions and directed union leaders to ensure cleanliness within motor parks and garages under their control.
Osiyemi also urged transport operators to discourage indiscriminate trading and remove illegal structures that contribute to waste generation and environmental degradation.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, emphasized the strategic role transport workers play in maintaining public order and security, encouraging them to report suspicious activities while supporting efforts to keep Lagos clean and safe.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.
He called on transport unions to assist in preventing waste disposal on roads, promote proper waste management practices and discourage street trading around bus stops and newly constructed roads.
Stakeholder and Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, assured the unions of government support in enforcing environmental sanitation standards, removing illegal shanties and maintaining clean transport facilities across the state.
Responding on behalf of the transport unions, representatives of NURTW and RTEAN pledged their commitment to partnering with the government to strengthen waste policing and improve environmental sanitation throughout Lagos.
The Lagos State Government has inaugurated a Special Task Force to combat indiscriminate waste dumping across the metropolis, particularly on roads, bus stops, garages, and lay-bys. As part of the initiative, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the… pic.twitter.com/s8i1iMOO4N
— Tokunbo Wahab (@tokunbo_wahab) June 21, 2026
