The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Police Command have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to tackle indiscriminate waste dumping, illegal activities and encroachment at dumpsites across the state.
The partnership will also focus on protecting waste management facilities, operational assets and personnel from attacks and other security threats.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the command headquarters in GRA, Ikeja.
Gbadegesin sought increased police support for LAWMA’s enforcement and operational activities, particularly in locations where the authority’s facilities and personnel face security challenges.
He said the continued influx of people into Lagos had placed growing pressure on the state’s waste management infrastructure, with the metropolis generating an estimated 13,000 to 16,000 tonnes of waste daily.
According to him, managing the volume of waste requires sustained operational interventions, effective enforcement and closer collaboration among government agencies to curb indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA was expanding waste collection, infrastructure development, recycling and resource recovery initiatives but stressed that security agencies remained essential to protecting facilities and enforcing environmental regulations.
He expressed particular concern over the safety of LAWMA personnel, including enforcement officers and street sweepers working to clear illegally dumped waste.
The LAWMA chief executive said some workers had faced resistance and attacks from unauthorised individuals, including armed scavengers, while carrying out their duties.
He therefore called for stronger security around critical LAWMA facilities, operational locations and areas vulnerable to illegal activities.
“We are committed to working closely with the Police and other relevant security agencies to restore order around waste management facilities, protect our personnel and infrastructure, and ensure that anyone who assaults or obstructs our officers while performing their lawful duties is made to face the consequences of such actions,” he said.
Police pledge support
Responding, Fatai acknowledged LAWMA’s role in maintaining a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in Lagos.
The commissioner commended the authority’s efforts to improve waste management and environmental sanitation but said indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations by some residents continued to undermine progress in the sector.
He called for stronger enforcement, greater public awareness and more responsible behaviour by residents.
Fatai assured LAWMA of the full support and cooperation of the Lagos State Police Command in tackling illegal dumping, unauthorised occupation and encroachment at dumpsites, as well as attacks on LAWMA personnel.
He said the command would work with the authority to ensure environmental offenders faced appropriate consequences while supporting efforts to safeguard LAWMA’s facilities, personnel and operational assets.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both agencies to sustained cooperation, stronger enforcement and wider stakeholder engagement as part of efforts to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.
