Refuse Backlog: Sanwo-Olu orders urgent action across Lagos

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed an immediate intensification of waste evacuation operations across Lagos State following growing concerns over the accumulation of refuse in several parts of the metropolis.

The Lagos State Government, in a statement on  by  the Governor’s Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, acknowledged residents’ concerns and assured Lagosians that the situation was receiving urgent attention from the governor and relevant agencies.

According to the government, “the situation is receiving the highest level of attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire machinery of government.”

The statement noted that the administration was fully aware of the discomfort caused by the refuse build-up, stressing that residents deserved a clean and healthy environment.

“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,” the government said.

To address the challenge, Sanwo-Olu ordered a significant expansion of waste evacuation efforts across the state.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has consequently directed an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the state, with relevant agencies and service providers working round the clock to clear backlogs and restore normalcy as quickly as possible,” the statement read.

The government disclosed that additional resources had been deployed to accelerate the clean-up exercise, while measures were being introduced to improve the efficiency of waste collection and disposal services in affected areas.

It added: “Additional resources have been deployed to support ongoing efforts, while strategic interventions are being implemented to strengthen operational efficiency and improve waste collection and disposal across affected areas.”

As part of the directive, the governor instructed key environmental agencies to intensify their activities.

“The Governor has directed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and all other departments in that sector to double down on their efforts,” the statement said.

The government also highlighted the scale of waste management challenges in Lagos, describing the state as a rapidly expanding megacity that generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.

“Lagos is a complex and rapidly growing megacity whose daily waste generation of about 13,000 tons ranks among the highest on the African continent,” it stated.

While acknowledging that operational challenges could occasionally arise, the government maintained that it had both the capacity and determination to resolve the situation.

“While occasional operational disruptions may occur within such a dynamic ecosystem, the capacity, determination and resolve of the Government to address them remain unquestionable,” the statement added.

Residents were assured that the challenge would not persist for long, with the government reporting progress in several parts of the state.

“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,” the statement said.

The government further noted that the Sanwo-Olu administration had continued to invest heavily in environmental sustainability, waste management infrastructure and urban renewal projects.

“The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invested significantly in environmental sustainability, waste management infrastructure and urban renewal initiatives over the years. Those efforts remain ongoing and will continue to be strengthened in line with the government’s vision of a cleaner, safer and more livable Lagos.”

Appealing for public cooperation, the government urged residents, market associations, businesses and community leaders to support sanitation efforts by disposing of refuse responsibly and avoiding actions that obstruct drainage systems and designated waste collection points.

“We also urge citizens, community leaders, market associations, businesses and other stakeholders to keep supporting environmental sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and refraining from practices that obstruct drainage channels, roadways and designated waste collection points,” it said.

Reaffirming its commitment to public health and environmental standards, the government assured residents that it was implementing both immediate and long-term solutions.

“This is not a situation that will be allowed to linger. The Government is firmly on top of it and is pursuing a comprehensive response designed not only to clear the current accumulation but also to reinforce the long-term resilience of the state’s waste management architecture.”

The statement concluded with a pledge to sustain efforts aimed at maintaining a cleaner city.

“The Lagos State Government assures every resident that it remains fully committed to protecting public health, preserving environmental standards and ensuring that our communities remain clean, safe and conducive for all. A cleaner Lagos is not merely an aspiration; it is a commitment we will continue to deliver.”