Activist Urges Lagos Govt to Prioritise Waste Facilities Over Sanitation Laws

Activist Urges Lagos Govt to Prioritise Waste Facilities Over Sanitation Laws

…as debate trails the proposed return of monthly sanitation in Lagos.

By Naomi Onome

A human rights activist, Comrade Prince Saviour, has raised concerns over the Lagos State Government’s reported plan to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, questioning its past effectiveness and current feasibility.

Speaking on the issue, Saviour queried the impact of the previous sanitation regime before it was suspended, asking whether it significantly improved cleanliness in the state or positioned Lagos as one of the cleanest cities in Nigeria or globally.

He also challenged authorities to explain any negative environmental consequences recorded during the period the exercise was discontinued.

The activist blamed the persistent problem of indiscriminate waste disposal across the state on what he described as systemic failures by the government, particularly the absence of accessible waste collection infrastructure.

According to him, Lagos once had functional waste collection points, including strategically placed bins and containers in markets, bus stops, and densely populated areas, which made proper waste disposal easier for residents.

“Today, those facilities are largely absent. In many areas, residents have no choice but to dump refuse along walkways and open spaces because there are no designated alternatives,” he said.

Saviour noted that in some locations, such as Mushin and Agege Motor Road, where waste containers still exist, they are often not promptly evacuated, leading to overflow and repeated dumping at the same spots.

He further expressed concern over the apparent decline in waste collection services, questioning the operational capacity of waste management trucks and the reliance on informal cart pushers who collect refuse from hard-to-reach areas without clear disposal processes.

The activist also criticised the government’s enforcement-driven approach, including fines and penalties for improper waste disposal, arguing that such measures should be complemented with adequate infrastructure and public services.

He proposed the revival of a structured environmental sanitation workforce similar to the “wolewole” system of the past, suggesting the employment of up to 50,000 sanitation officers. According to him, these officers could monitor compliance at household and community levels, issue sanitation tickets, and generate revenue to sustain the initiative.

Saviour also questioned the potential overlap between the proposed monthly sanitation exercise and the existing Thursday market sanitation, describing the latter as largely ineffective since traders are expected to clean their spaces daily.

He warned that enforcing both exercises could disrupt economic activities and create unnecessary hardship for residents and business owners.

Additionally, he raised concerns about possible legal implications, recalling that the previous sanitation exercise was halted following a court ruling. He cautioned that restricting movement during sanitation hours could pose risks, particularly in emergency situations.

While acknowledging the need for a cleaner Lagos, Saviour urged the government to prioritise proper planning, provision of waste disposal facilities, and effective service delivery before reintroducing restrictive policies.

“There must be clear answers on where residents are expected to dispose of their waste. Without proper alternatives, enforcement alone will not solve the problem,” he said.

He maintained that with the right infrastructure and policies, Lagos has the potential to become one of the cleanest cities in Africa.