The Lagos State government on Saturday inaugurated a Special Task Force to monitor the metropolis, bus stops, garages and lay-bys against indiscriminate waste dumping, charging transport union members to henceforth act as environmental Police.
Addressing the meeting held at the state secretariat in Alausa which had in attendance top government functionaries and the leadership of the two main transport unions National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), the commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi commended the unions for past collaboration and especially on the reintroduced monthly sanitation exercise.
“The meeting this morning is nothing but a call for more collaboration,” the Commissioner stated, adding that, “Our beautiful city is being challenged by indiscriminate refuse disposal and environmental abuse; we cannot fold our arms while people carry waste from their homes and dump it on roads, medians and public spaces. This is totally unacceptable.”
The commissioner noted that while the state government remains committed to enforcing environmental laws, the cooperation of transport unions is indispensable, given their strategic presence across the State.
“We cannot be on every road twenty-four hours a day; we are not abandoning this responsibility to you, nor are we doing it alone; what we are asking for is collaboration because this fight is not for the government alone; it is for all of us. In collaboration with LAWMA, some of your union members will act as our waste Police” he said.
The commissioner warned that there would henceforth be consequences for individuals found engaging in illegal waste disposal, stressing that the era of impunity was over.
Addressing the transport union leaders directly, he charged them to take ownership of their garages, bus stops and parks by ensuring they are clean, orderly and free from illegal activities.
“Our roads are being littered by people every day; we want you to take responsibility as our partners to ensure this does not happen; Before you can enforce discipline outside, your own garages and bus stops must be in order,” he said.
He frowned at the indiscriminate trading and erection of makeshift structures in transport parks, saying such activities contribute significantly to waste generation and environmental degradation.
“You must stop allowing indiscriminate trading in your parks and bus stops. You must stop the proliferation of shanties in garages; these places should not become centres for environmental abuse or criminal activities; Every garage must have cleaners and must be maintained at all times,” the Commissioner declared.
Also speaking at the meeting, the deputy chief of staff to the governor, Mr Sam Egube, underscored the strategic importance of transport workers in maintaining public order and security.
“All over the world, transport workers are part of the security architecture of society. They are major sources of information. The people who commit crimes move on our roads, in our vehicles and through our parks; when you see something, say something; No individual can outsmart all of us working together,” he stated.
Egube noted that the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu believes Lagos can overcome its environmental and social challenges if all stakeholders rise together to protect the city and enforce responsible behaviour.
Also, the managing director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin emphasised the scale of the challenge facing the state, revealing that Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily.
