…Reaffirms commitment to restoring environmental discipline

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Saturday said that as part of efforts to address operational and logistical challenges affecting waste management in the state, 150 new compactor trucks would be procured and deployed for waste evacuation.
Speaking on Saturday at the June 2026 environmental sanitation symbolic exercise held at Surulere, Sanwo-Olu said the government has approved the procurement of additional compactor trucks and they will be available in the next three months.

The governor said: “We are here today to participate in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. As you know, the last Saturday of every month has been set aside by the Lagos State Government for environmental sanitation. This exercise reflects our commitment to keeping Lagos clean, healthy and sustainable.
“We are also involving young people and schoolchildren in this exercise so they can take the message of environmental cleanliness back to their schools, homes and communities. Our goal is to build a culture of cleanliness among the next generation and encourage everyone to become partners in keeping Lagos clean.

“When we come out for exercises like this, it is not a show or a ceremonial event. It is a call to action. We want residents to obey environmental laws and actively participate in sanitation activities. Government alone cannot achieve a clean environment; it requires the cooperation of every resident.
“Moving forward, we recognise that there are operational and logistical challenges affecting waste management, particularly the shortage of compactor trucks and other equipment required for effective waste evacuation.

“To address this, the government has approved the procurement of additional compactor trucks. As announced yesterday, about 150 new trucks have been approved, and deliveries are expected to begin within the next three months.”
The governor added that in collaboration with the local councils, the Lagos State Government will also acquiring smaller compactor trucks that can easily access inner streets and narrow roads, preventing waste from accumulating along major highways.

“Some of these trucks will be assembled locally to further strengthen our waste management capacity. In addition, the Lagos State Government is constructing a modern Material Recovery Facility and recycling plant in partnership with ZoomLion. The facility will process over 4,250 metric tonnes of waste daily, replacing the old practice of simply dumping refuse at landfill sites. The project is expected to become operational in the first quarter of next year.
“While these long-term solutions are being implemented, we are also supporting our Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators by improving their logistics and operational capacity. We understand that many of them are facing financial and operational challenges.

“However, residents also have an important role to play by paying their waste management bills promptly. It is only when PSP operators receive payment for the services they provide that they can sustain their operations and continue to evacuate waste efficiently.
“Waste management is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a collective responsibility involving government, service providers, businesses and every resident of Lagos State.”

Similarly, the Lagos State government on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to restoring environmental discipline across the state, with the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, declaring that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise is now a permanent initiative aimed at changing residents’ attitude towards cleanliness.
Speaking during the third edition of the monthly sanitation exercise since the initiative was reintroduced, Agoro said the government would sustain advocacy and enforcement to ensure Lagosians take greater responsibility for their environment.

Responding to concerns over the level of participation by residents, Agoro said the turnout was encouraging despite some people initially failing to come out.
“I wouldn’t say they were reluctant; I would say some were simply a bit lazy. Many were still asleep when we started. As we continue our advocacy, people will see that the government is serious about this initiative. This is the third exercise, and some initially thought it was a one-off event. Now that they realise it will take place every month, I’m already seeing more people coming out to participate,” he said.

He urged residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse, stressing that government alone could not keep Lagos clean.
“When people travel abroad, they obey environmental laws and avoid littering. We should show the same discipline here at home. Personally, when I have waste in my car, I keep it until I find a proper waste bin. Government cannot do everything; we all have a role to play,” he added.

The Head of Service also addressed complaints over irregular waste collection by some Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, assuring residents that the government would investigate the situation to determine the cause.
On public safety, Agoro disclosed that officials inspected a distressed one-storey building with visible cracks on Akewusola Salami Street, adding that the Ministry of Physical Planning would conduct a structural assessment and take appropriate action, including demolition, if the building is found to be unsafe.

During the exercise, officials sealed Houses 7 and 9 on Olorunfunmi Street, Oworonshoki, over filthy surroundings and poor environmental sanitation.
The enforcement team, led by Agoro, also inspected Olayiwola Street, Akewusola Salami Street, Alaba Street and Oyenubi Abiola Street, where residents were sensitised on proper waste disposal and environmental compliance.

Speaking during the exercise, Kosofe Local Government Chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, said the council would continue to support the state’s environmental sanitation initiative through sustained enforcement and public enlightenment.
“We have to keep doing this. This is the third time we’ve embarked on this exercise. As a government, we will continue to do our best to ensure that the environment is clean for the people,” Ogunlewe said.

He described environmental sanitation as a shared responsibility, urging residents to actively participate in the exercise held on the last Saturday of every month.
Addressing illegal obstructions on drainage channels, Ogunlewe said owners of freezers and other structures placed on drainage alignments along Olorunfunmi Street would be served removal notices.

“As you can see, those freezers were placed on the drainage channels. We have directed the Head of Environment to serve notices to the owners and ensure they remove them from the drainage. We’ll continue our advocacy efforts and keep sensitising the public,” he said.
Although vehicular movement remained unrestricted during the exercise, commercial vehicles were largely absent from the roads following the decision of transport unions to support the state’s sanitation campaign by suspending commercial transport operations during the exercise.

Agoro also called on corporate organisations to strengthen partnerships with the state through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, noting that private sector collaboration would further enhance efforts to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.