Street sweeping is meant to be one of the most visible signs of a city’s commitment to cleanliness and public health.

But in parts of Lagos and other Nigerian cities, it seems this process has become a mere ritual one that creates the illusion of cleanliness while quietly sowing seeds of environmental degradation.

From Oshodi toEjigbo, Ikeja, and other parts of Lagos, street sweepers can be seen removing sand, silt, and debris from the roads only for them to be dumping them into open drains and sometimes covered drains through the pigeonholes.

This practice, residents noted, has contributed to the flooding sometimes experienced in the city state whether it is flash flood or otherwise.

A driver, TundeAlani, said he has lost count of the times he has seen sweepers push waste directly into drains.

“They clear the streets, but instead of collecting it properly, they just dump it in the gutter. One week later, the same place was flooded after a slight rain.

“These drains were designed to carry water, not soil. Once sand accumulates, water no longer flows. It starts backing up into the streets. That is why we keep saying Lagos is flooding more often, some of it is our own doing,” he said.

A shop owner, Bola Adeyemi, shared how she tried confronting a team of sweepers who dumped a full wheelbarrow of waste in a grassy patch near a drainage cover.

“I asked the woman why they were dumping it there, and she just said, ‘That’s where they told us to drop it.’ I was shocked.”

A resident, Chinwe Nwankwo, said: “Last year, my whole street was flooded because the culvert near our junction was blocked with sand and nylon. My kids missed school for a week because the water was waist-high. It’s so annoying to watch sweepers dump waste into the same place again. There is no real follow-up, no lasting solution. The same garbage returns because the root issues are poor waste management, lack of enforcement, and no public awareness are ignored.”

She added that authorities do just enough to appear responsive without tackling the real issues.

One of the sweepers, who pleaded anonymity, said: “We don’t have enough trucks coming to pick the waste. Sometimes, we are told to just move it off the road and make sure the streets look clean. Where else do we put it?”

Another sweeper expressed the same frustration. “We have no gloves, no protective gear, and most times, no proper tools. They pay us peanuts and expect miracles. Every day, we risk our lives just to get the job done, working in unsafe conditions with little to no support.”

In response to ongoing concerns over the improper disposal of waste into drainage systems by sanitation workers and residents, Operations Associate at GIVO Africa, Chukwuebuka Onyia, stressed that environmental conservation is a collective responsibility, noting, “every action matters” in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. The role of an environmental policymaker is as important as that of a passerby who disposes of his water sachet properly after consumption, any slightest disruption in the loop can lead to a devastating outcome.”
Onyia expressed concern over the recurring practice of diverting swept sand and debris into drainage channels, a move he described as counterproductive and environmentally dangerous.

“As negligible as the simple action of diverting sands to drainages may look each time it is done, the overall effect is devastating and does not support sustainability. In most places, we have lost our drainage to this unprofessional act over time, leading to floods.”

He emphasised the need for street sweepers to be seen and treated as essential contributors to the waste management ecosystem.

“They should not see their role as a mere means of livelihood, but rather be proud as indispensable members of an ecosystem.”

He recommended that beyond knowing how to handle a broom, sanitation workers should be trained to understand their place within the waste management value chain.

Onyia noted that environmental policies always thrive well when the people take ownership of the policy, adding that there is a need for community engagement through local leaders, focus groups, and religious organisations to raise awareness, promote sustainable practices and instill a sense of environmental responsibility among residents.

While emphasising the role of education and awareness, he also urged government to implement a robust system of monitoring and accountability.

“It should be a case of the carrot and the stick, Contractors should be evaluated weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Those found wanting in this regard should be treated accordingly.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mrs Kadiri, stressed that the agency enforces strict standard operating procedures that prohibit any such activity.

“The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) maintains a strict standard operating procedure that forbids sweepers or any sanitation personnel under our authority from dumping swept debris into drainage channels or watercourses.”

Kadiri said that all waste collected by sanitation workers must be bagged and evacuated promptly by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators or LAWMA compactors to designated dumpsites or transfer loading stations.

She further reiterated the agency’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of drainage systems, particularly with the rainy season approaching.

“We take the issue of drainage integrity seriously, the deliberate or negligent act of discharging waste into drains undermines both environmental safety and public health, and it is not representative of LAWMA’s ethos or training protocols.

“Reports and public feedback such as yours are vital for monitoring and enforcement, we will review the concerns raised and intensify our internal monitoring mechanisms to ensure strict compliance across all operational zones.”

Kadiri explained that these training sessions aim to reinforce best waste management practices to ensure workers carry out their duties professionally.

She added that “one cannot rule out the activities of a few sanitation workers, who despite training and retraining, may still be found wanting in discharging their duties professionally.”

Should such incidents occur, she assured that the responsible company would face sanctions in line with LAWMA’s operational policies.

She urged the public to report any infractions promptly through LAWMA’s official feedback channels. “Upholding a cleaner and flood-free Lagos remains a shared responsibility,”she said.