The Lagos State Government has commenced an intensified waste evacuation campaign following growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several parts of the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed environmental agencies and waste management operators to scale up their activities and work round the clock to restore cleanliness across affected communities.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gbenga Akosile, the government acknowledged residents’ concerns and assured Lagosians that urgent measures were being implemented to address the situation.
“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 said.
Akosile noted that the administration understood the inconvenience caused by the waste buildup and remained committed to maintaining a healthy environment for residents.
“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,” he stated.
According to the government, additional resources have been deployed to support waste collection operations, while strategic measures are being introduced to improve the efficiency of waste evacuation and disposal services.
The governor also directed key environmental agencies, including the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant bodies, to intensify their efforts in clearing refuse across the state.
The statement highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of Africa’s largest waste-producing cities.
Despite the current challenges, the government expressed confidence that the situation would soon improve.
“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,” Akosile said.
The government further appealed to residents, market leaders, businesses, and community groups to support ongoing sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding practices that obstruct drainage systems, roadways, and designated waste collection points.
It reiterated its commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of public health across Lagos State.
