Sanwo-Olu Orders Emergency Refuse Evacuation In Lagos Metropolis

Amid concerns over the accumulation of refuse, Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the immediate scale-up of waste evacuation operations across the Lagos metropolis.

The governor, in a statement issued by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gbenga Akosile, acknowledged the residents’ complaints and assured them that the state government was making frantic efforts to restore normal waste collection services.

He said, “The Lagos State government acknowledges the concerns of residents regarding the recent accumulation of refuse in some parts of the state and wishes to assure Lagosians that the situation is receiving the highest level of attention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the entire machinery of government “

“We are not oblivious to the inconveniences and concerns occasioned by the situation. Lagosians deserve a clean, healthy and environmentally sustainable city, and this administration remains fully committed to delivering on that obligation.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the relevant agencies and service providers are working around the clock to clear backlogs and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

According to him, additional resources have been deployed to support ongoing efforts, adding that strategic interventions are being implemented to strengthen operational efficiency and improve waste collection and disposal across affected areas.

The Governor also directed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and all other departments in that sector to double down on their efforts.

“Lagos is a complex and rapidly growing megacity whose daily waste generation of about 13,000 tons ranks among the highest on the African continent. While occasional operational disruptions may occur within such a dynamic ecosystem, the Government’s determination and resolve to address them remain unquestionable.

We wish to reassure residents that this challenge is temporary. Indeed, substantial progress is already being recorded in several locations, and more improvements will become visible across the state in the days ahead.

“The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invested significantly in environmental sustainability, waste management infrastructure and urban renewal initiatives over the years. Those efforts remain ongoing and will continue to be strengthened in line with the government’s goal of a cleaner, safer and more livable Lagos.”

He appealed to residents to remain calm and confident, assuring them that the situation would not be allowed to linger.

The government is on top of it and is pursuing a comprehensive response designed not only to clear the current accumulation but also to reinforce the long-term resilience of the state’s waste management architecture.

“We also urge citizens, community leaders, market associations, businesses and other stakeholders to keep supporting environmental sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and refraining from practices that obstruct drainage channels, roadways and designated waste collection points.”