Sanwo-Olu Commands Urgent Refuse Clearance Across Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a directive for the immediate escalation of waste evacuation operations throughout the state. This move follows growing apprehension among residents regarding the significant accumulation of refuse in various areas of the metropolis.

In an official statement released on Thursday by Gbenga Akosile, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the state government acknowledged the complaints from citizens and provided assurances that measures were actively being implemented to reinstate normal waste collection services.

The statement detailed that relevant governmental agencies and service providers have been mobilized to work continuously, clearing existing waste backlogs and enhancing sanitation conditions across all affected communities. "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 affirmed.

It further added, "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."

Akosile confirmed that additional resources have been deployed to bolster waste evacuation efforts, while strategic interventions are being implemented to boost operational efficiency and improve both waste collection and disposal processes. He also stated that the governor had specifically instructed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other pertinent agencies to intensify their operations.

The government highlighted that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of the highest waste-producing cities on the African continent. While describing the current situation as temporary, the administration noted that considerable progress has already been achieved in some locations, promising further improvements in the coming days.

"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," the statement concluded.

Finally, the government appealed to residents, market associations, businesses, and community leaders to support the ongoing sanitation efforts by properly disposing of waste and refraining from activities that obstruct drainage channels, roads, and designated waste collection points. It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding environmental standards and safeguarding public health across Lagos.