By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Lagos State Government has warned residents against patronising unregulated cart pushers, accusing their activities of contributing to indiscriminate waste disposal and worsening environmental challenges across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, issued the warning during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held in FESTAC, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
Wahab said residents who engage unregulated waste collectors risk encouraging the dumping of refuse on road medians, roads and drainage channels.
According to him, indiscriminate disposal of waste can obstruct drainage channels and worsen flooding, making proper waste management a shared responsibility between the government and residents.
The commissioner urged Lagos residents to dispose of their waste through approved channels and maintain clean surroundings beyond designated sanitation days.
“Government will continue to provide the leadership, infrastructure and regulation needed, but residents must also take responsibility by properly disposing of their waste and keeping their surroundings clean — not only on sanitation days, but every day,” Wahab said.
Meanwhile, the state government said it had acquired more than 200 compactor trucks to strengthen waste evacuation and improve the reliability of waste collection services across Lagos.
Wahab said the new trucks would help address some of the challenges affecting waste collection, while the ministry continues to work on issues at landfills, dumpsites and major waste collection points.
The government is also engaging Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators as part of efforts to improve waste management services.
Wahab noted that residents’ willingness to pay for waste collection depends largely on the quality and reliability of the services provided.
He said the government’s interventions were therefore aimed at improving the waste management system while encouraging residents to support efforts to keep the state clean.
Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, his wife, Oluremi Hamzat, and other stakeholders also participated in the sanitation exercise.
The government reiterated that maintaining a cleaner and healthier Lagos would require sustained cooperation between authorities, waste operators and residents.
