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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Environment & Climate

Lagos denies replacing KAI with NURTW

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Lagos State Government denied claims that the National Union of Road Transport Workers would replace the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI).
  • Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab clarified that engagements with transport unions aim to foster collaboration on waste management, not to transfer enforcement duties.
  • He assured residents that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority, with LAGESC and the Environmental and Special Offences Task Force continuing as the primary enforcement bodies.

The Lagos State Government has refuted reports circulating on social media and other platforms that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is set to take over the duties of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) or environmental law enforcement.

As we are all aware, several environmental challenges persist within parks, garages, and the public transportation ecosystem, including illegal trading activities and the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and within transport facilities.

— Tokunbo WahabThe Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources explained the rationale behind engaging transport unions.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, issued a statement to address what he termed "misinformation." He explained that recent discussions between the state government and transport unions are intended to enhance cooperation and shared responsibility for waste management within parks and garages. These engagements are not meant to replace the statutory functions of LAGESC.

This partnership does not in any way diminish, transfer, or replace the enforcement responsibilities of LAGESC and the Task Force. Rather, it is a complementary initiative designed to strengthen environmental compliance, sanitation standards, and stakeholder participation in maintaining a cleaner environment across the state.

— Tokunbo WahabThe Commissioner clarified the scope of the collaboration with transport unions.

Wahab emphasized that LAGESC, in conjunction with the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the government's designated environmental enforcement authority. He noted that environmental challenges like illegal trading and improper waste disposal persist within transport hubs. The partnership with transport unions is a complementary effort to bolster environmental compliance and sanitation standards, aiming for a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.

We therefore wish to reassure all Lagosians that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority of the Lagos State Government. We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and partners in our collective effort to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.

— Tokunbo WahabThe Commissioner reassured residents about the government's commitment to environmental cleanliness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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