The Lagos State Government has declared zero tolerance for waste dumping on all roads across the State and is set to establish a "Waste Police" to support environmental sanitation efforts.
The decision followed the directive of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for the emergency evacuation of waste on Lagos roads.
Consequently, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), have resolved to ensure that roads, motor parks and garages remain clean at all times.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Ministry of Transportation on Saturday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said transport unions must ensure that their parks and garages are always kept clean and discourage indiscriminate trading and improper waste disposal within their areas of operation.
He stated that the Ministry would commence enforcement activities to ensure that all motor parks and garages are properly maintained and that waste is disposed of appropriately.
Reiterating that roads are not refuse dumps, the Commissioner further disclosed that the State Government would constitute a Waste Police made up of members of the transport unions across all local government areas.
According to him, the Waste Police will monitor motor parks and their surroundings to ensure that refuse is not indiscriminately dumped.
The Lagos State Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube noted that all over the world, road transport operators’ partners with government in monitoring transport infrastructure. He urged all parties present at the meeting to rise up to the clarion call of ensuring the challenge of waste disposal is surmounted.
Hon. Sola Giwa who was also present at the meeting urged NURTW and RTEAN to take full responsibility as partners in waste control and management by ensuring total compliance at their various parks and garages.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, appreciated the transport unions for supporting the reintroduced environmental sanitation exercise and urged them to continue backing the initiative.
He noted that waste management cannot be handled by LAWMA alone, which is why the Agency is partnering with the transport unions whose members are spread across the State and can help promote proper waste disposal practices at motor parks and their surroundings.
Dr. Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA evacuates about 13,000 tons of waste daily across Lagos, while the transport unions move an estimated 22 million commuters every day.
He stressed the need for collaboration between LAWMA and the unions to ensure proper waste disposal at motor parks and garages, while also discouraging indiscriminate trading in their parks and corridors.
He reiterated that LAWMA would continue to work closely with the unions, leveraging their presence across the State to monitor roads, motor parks and surrounding communities, urging them to report cases of indiscriminate waste disposal for prompt action.
Those present at the meeting included; Directors of both Ministry of Transportation and LAWMA, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation and Logistics, Hon. Hassan Adekoya, representatives of LAWMA Enforcement, NURTW and RTEAN.
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