Lagos governor orders urgent waste removal to address refuse crisis
Residents of Lagos have expressed relief after Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state. The directive follows widespread complaints about heaps of refuse littering roads and communities, raising public health concerns. Sanwo-Olu assured residents that extra trucks and personnel have been deployed, and urged the public to support proper waste disposal practices. The state government has also received new waste compactor trucks to boost operations.
What happened
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources to intensify waste clearance efforts.
- The Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority donated 10 waste compactor trucks to the state government on June 11 to aid waste evacuation.
- In the last 12 months, at least 4,000 people were prosecuted for dumping refuse in unauthorised locations, as reported in March.
- Residents in areas like Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, and Egbeda have complained about uncollected waste and health risks.
- Authorities attribute the crisis to operational challenges and indiscriminate dumping, but promise continued efforts to keep Lagos clean.
