ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Lagos State Government has refuted reports alleging that it has mandated the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to assume the responsibilities of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, or to arrest environmental offenders.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the clarification in a statement issued on Tuesday, describing the claims as misleading.
The response comes amid reports and social media posts suggesting that the state government had authorised NURTW members to operate as “waste police” or take over environmental enforcement duties currently handled by KAI.
Wahab, however, explained that the recent engagement between the state government and transport unions across Lagos was not designed to supplant the statutory functions of LAGESC.
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According to him, LAGESC, working alongside the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the legally recognised environmental enforcement agency under the ministry.
“As we are all aware, several environmental challenges persist within parks, garages, and the public transportation ecosystem, including illegal trading activities and the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and within transport facilities,” Wahab said.
He noted that the collaboration with transport unions is intended to encourage collective responsibility, improve sanitation practices, and enhance waste management within parks and garages.
“This partnership does not in any way diminish, transfer, or replace the enforcement responsibilities of LAGESC and the Task Force.
Rather, it is a complementary initiative designed to strengthen environmental compliance, sanitation standards, and stakeholder participation in maintaining a cleaner environment across the state,” he stated.
Wahab further reassured residents that environmental sanitation remains a key priority of the Lagos State Government, stressing that efforts to work with stakeholders and partners would continue in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.
“We therefore wish to reassure all Lagosians that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority of the Lagos State Government. We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and partners in our collective effort to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos,” the statement added.