The Lagos State Government has denied reports that it has authorised members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to take over the duties of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) or arrest environmental offenders.

The clarification followed claims circulating on social media suggesting that the government had empowered transport union members to act as environmental enforcement officers, commonly referred to as “waste police”.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, described the reports as misinformation and said KAI, formally known as the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), remains the agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws.

Wahab said the recent engagement between the state government and transport unions was aimed at improving sanitation and waste management within motor parks and garages, not transferring enforcement powers.

“LAGESC, working alongside the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the duly empowered environmental enforcement arm of the ministry,” he said.

According to the commissioner, environmental challenges such as indiscriminate refuse disposal and illegal trading continue to affect parks, garages and other transport facilities across the state.

He said the partnership with transport unions was designed to encourage stakeholder participation and shared responsibility in maintaining a cleaner environment.

“This collaboration does not diminish, transfer or replace the enforcement responsibilities of LAGESC and the Task Force. Rather, it complements ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental compliance and sanitation standards,” Wahab added.

The Lagos government reaffirmed its commitment to environmental cleanliness and pledged to continue working with relevant stakeholders to improve sanitation and public health across the state.