Determined to end indiscriminate waste disposal on roadsides, the Lagos State Government has concluded plans to set up the Waste Police and deploy them across the state to stop motorists, traders, and other residents from dumping refuse on road medians, walkways, and other areas.
It stated that the plan was part of the renewed campaign to eliminate indiscriminate refuse dumping on roads and improve environmental sanitation.
The move comes amid the state government’s zero-tolerance declaration for roadside waste disposal, following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to evacuate refuse from major roads and public spaces.
Under the initiative, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) will be enlisted to serve as Waste Police in all local government areas, helping authorities monitor motor parks, garages and surrounding communities to ensure proper waste disposal.
The decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Saturday.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stressed that roads must no longer be treated as refuse dumps, warning that the government would intensify enforcement efforts across the state.
According to him, transport unions have a critical role to play in maintaining cleanliness within their operational areas, including motor parks and garages.
“We will commence enforcement activities to ensure that all motor parks and garages are properly maintained and that waste is disposed of appropriately,” Osiyemi said.
He explained that the proposed Waste Police would comprise transport union members strategically positioned across local councils to monitor compliance and discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The Lagos State Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, described the initiative as a collaborative approach to addressing environmental challenges, noting that transport operators in many parts of the world work closely with governments to protect public infrastructure.
He urged transport stakeholders to support the campaign and contribute to efforts aimed at overcoming the state’s waste management challenges.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, called on NURTW and RTEAN leaders to take ownership of the initiative by ensuring strict compliance with sanitation regulations in their respective parks and garages.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the transport unions for supporting the reintroduced environmental sanitation exercise, stressing that waste management requires collective responsibility.
He noted that LAWMA currently evacuates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily across Lagos, while transport unions facilitate the movement of an estimated 22 million commuters every day.
According to him, the vast presence of transport operators across the state makes them valuable partners in promoting proper waste disposal practices and monitoring environmental violations.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA would continue to work closely with the unions to ensure cleaner roads, motor parks and surrounding communities, while encouraging members of the public to report cases of indiscriminate refuse dumping for prompt intervention.
The latest initiative is part of the state government’s broader strategy to improve environmental sanitation, restore order in public spaces and sustain efforts to keep Africa’s largest city clean and habitable.
Officials expressed optimism that the partnership between government agencies and transport unions would significantly reduce roadside dumping and foster a culture of environmental responsibility among residents.