The Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos Waste Management Authority have agreed to step up joint efforts against indiscriminate waste disposal and activities around unauthorised dumpsites across the state.
The decision followed a meeting between LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the command headquarters in GRA, Ikeja.
Gbadegesin called for greater police involvement in LAWMA’s enforcement operations, particularly in areas where illegal dumping and other environmental offences are common.
He said Lagos’ growing population had increased the strain on waste management facilities, with the state generating an estimated 13,000 to 16,000 tonnes of waste every day.
“The volume of waste generated in the state requires sustained operational interventions, complemented by effective enforcement and inter-agency collaboration to tackle indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations,” Gbadegesin said.
He noted that LAWMA was expanding waste collection, recycling, infrastructure and resource recovery programmes, but said stronger security support was needed to protect its operations.
The LAWMA boss also disclosed that some of the agency’s workers had faced attacks and resistance while clearing illegally dumped refuse, with armed scavengers among those involved.
He consequently appealed for tighter security around LAWMA facilities, operational bases and locations identified as hotspots for illegal activities.
“The safety of personnel is essential to sustaining efficient waste management operations in the state,” he said.
Fatai commended LAWMA for its role in maintaining environmental sanitation across Lagos, but said illegal dumping by residents remained a major challenge.
He called for stronger enforcement and increased public awareness, assuring the agency of the police command’s cooperation.
The commissioner said the police would support efforts to deal with illegal dumping, encroachment on dumpsites and attacks on LAWMA workers, while ensuring environmental offenders were brought to justice.
Both agencies subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to working together to improve waste management and promote a cleaner and safer Lagos.