The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Police Command have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to tackle indiscriminate waste dumping, illegal activities and encroachment at dumpsites, while enhancing the protection of waste management facilities and personnel across the state.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in GRA, Ikeja.

Gbadegesin sought stronger police support for the authority’s enforcement and operational activities, particularly in areas where LAWMA personnel and facilities face security challenges.

He said the rapid influx of people into Lagos had continued to put pressure on the state’s waste management infrastructure, contributing to the rising volume of waste generated across the metropolis, which he estimated at between 13,000 and 16,000 tonnes daily.

According to him, the huge volume of waste generated in the state requires sustained operational interventions, backed by effective enforcement and stronger inter-agency collaboration to curb indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations.

While noting that LAWMA was intensifying waste collection, infrastructure development, recycling and resource recovery initiatives, Gbadegesin stressed that collaboration with security agencies remained crucial to protecting waste management infrastructure and enforcing environmental regulations.

He also expressed concern over the safety of LAWMA personnel, including enforcement officers and street sweepers deployed to clear indiscriminately dumped waste.

The LAWMA boss said some personnel had encountered resistance and attacks from unauthorised persons, including armed scavengers, while carrying out their statutory duties.

He therefore called for increased security around critical LAWMA facilities, operational locations and areas prone to illegal activities, stressing that the safety of personnel was essential to sustaining efficient waste management operations.

“We are committed to working closely with the Police and other relevant security agencies to restore order around waste management facilities, protect our personnel and infrastructure, and ensure that anyone who assaults or obstructs our officers while performing their lawful duties is made to face the consequences of such actions,” he said.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, acknowledged LAWMA’s critical role in maintaining a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in Lagos State.

Fatai commended the authority for its sustained efforts to improve waste management and environmental sanitation, but noted that indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations by some residents continued to undermine the gains recorded in the sector.

He stressed the need for stronger enforcement, increased public awareness and more responsible behaviour among residents.

The commissioner assured LAWMA of the full support and cooperation of the Lagos State Police Command in strengthening enforcement operations and addressing cases involving illegal dumping, unauthorised occupation and encroachment at dumpsites, as well as attacks on LAWMA personnel.

He said the Command would work closely with LAWMA to ensure that environmental offenders faced the consequences of their actions, while supporting the authority’s efforts to protect its facilities, personnel and operational assets.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both agencies to sustained collaboration, effective enforcement and stakeholder engagement as part of broader efforts to promote a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.