(Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Photo by Ripples Nigeria)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the state in response to growing public concern over the accumulation of refuse in several areas.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gbenga Akosile, the state government acknowledged residents’ complaints and assured Lagosians that the situation is receiving urgent attention from the governor and relevant government agencies.
The government stressed that it remains fully committed to delivering a clean and environmentally sustainable city for residents.
According to the statement, additional resources have been deployed to support evacuation efforts, with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant bodies directed to intensify operations and work round the clock to clear waste backlogs.
The government noted that Lagos generates roughly 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, placing it among the highest waste-producing cities in Africa, but described the current accumulation as a temporary challenge.
It said significant progress has already been recorded in some locations, with further improvements expected across the state in the coming days.
The administration also called on residents, market associations, businesses, and community leaders to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding practices that block drainage channels, roads, and designated collection points, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining environmental standards and safeguarding public health.