The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has presented financial support cheques to street sweepers who sustained injuries while on duty and to the families of deceased sweepers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking during the presentation, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LAWMA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of its workers.
“Our sanitation workers go to great lengths, often under very risky conditions, to maintain environmental sanity across the state,” Gbadegesin said. “As a responsible organisation, we have a moral and institutional obligation to support them—not just in words but in action—especially when accidents or unfortunate incidents occur while on duty. This gesture is our way of saying: we see you, we value you, and we will always stand by you.”
He explained that the financial assistance was part of LAWMA’s structured welfare programme, which includes accident compensation, insurance, regular health checks, and periodic safety training. The initiative, he noted, aligns with the agency’s broader commitment to human dignity, social equity, and inclusive governance.
He said no sanitation worker should be left to suffer in silence or neglect due to work-related hazards, stressing, “At LAWMA, we believe that social protection is not an option but a necessity. As we work tirelessly to improve the city’s waste management systems, we are equally investing in the people who power that system. Their wellbeing remains central to our mission.”
The LAWMA boss emphasised the importance of adhering to health and safety practices, urging sanitation workers to remain vigilant, particularly when operating in high-traffic areas or at night. He assured them that the agency would continue to upgrade its health and safety protocols to reduce occupational risks.
Gbadegesin highlighted the cheque presentation as one of several welfare-focused initiatives undertaken by LAWMA to create a sustainable and dignified work environment for all sanitation personnel across Lagos State.
