Sanwo-Olu orders immediate evacuation of waste across Lagos
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered an immediate increase in waste evacuation operations due to mounting refuse in some areas.
- The government acknowledged residents' complaints and assured that efforts are underway to restore normal waste collection services.
- Agencies have been mobilized to clear backlogs, and residents are urged to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste properly.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state, responding to growing concerns over accumulating refuse in several areas. The state government acknowledged residents' complaints and assured that efforts are underway to restore normal waste collection services.
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.
Relevant agencies and service providers have been mobilized to work around the clock to clear waste backlogs and improve sanitation in affected communities. The government stated its commitment to delivering a clean, healthy, and environmentally sustainable city for its residents. Additional resources have been deployed to support waste evacuation, alongside strategic interventions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency in waste collection and disposal.
The governor directed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency to intensify their operations. Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, making it one of Africa's highest waste-producing cities. The government described the current situation as temporary, noting that substantial progress has been made in some locations and promising further improvements.
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.
Residents, market associations, businesses, and community leaders are urged to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste properly and avoiding actions that obstruct drainage channels, roads, and designated waste collection points. The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining environmental standards and protecting public health throughout 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.
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.