Sanwo-Olu orders immediate waste evacuation as Lagos battles refuse buildup

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state following growing public concern over the accumulation of refuse in several parts of Lagos.

The directive forms part of an emergency response aimed at clearing waste backlogs and restoring normal sanitation operations, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.

Akosile said the governor had instructed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other relevant agencies to intensify waste evacuation efforts across the state.

He disclosed that additional resources had been deployed to support round-the-clock evacuation operations, while strategic measures were being implemented to improve the efficiency of waste collection and disposal in affected communities.

Acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the refuse buildup, the state government assured residents that the situation was receiving the highest level of attention.

“Lagosians deserve a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city, and this administration remains fully committed to delivering on that obligation,” the statement read.

The government attributed the challenge to operational disruptions within a rapidly expanding megacity that generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, but maintained that the disruption was temporary.

According to the statement, noticeable progress has already been recorded in several locations, with further improvements expected across the state in the coming days.

The government also appealed to residents, market associations, community leaders and businesses to support environmental sanitation by disposing of waste properly and avoiding practices that obstruct drainage channels, roadways and designated refuse collection points.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and strengthening waste management infrastructure to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.