The Lagos State Government recently announced something that had many Lagosians doing a double take.
As part of efforts to tackle indiscriminate waste dumping across the state, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration says it plans to establish a special “Waste Police” task force. The initiative is expected to monitor illegal waste disposal in roads, bus stops, garages, lay-bys, and other public spaces.
On paper, it sounds like another attempt to address one of Lagos’ most persistent problems. But online, many residents are asking whether this is actually the solution Lagos needs.
Why Lagosians Are Not Having It
The backlash started almost immediately after details of the initiative emerged.
One major reason is that the proposed “Waste Police” are not actual police officers. Instead, reports indicate that members of transport unions such as NURTW and RTEAN will be involved in monitoring and reporting environmental violations.
For many Lagosians, that detail raised eyebrows.
These are the same groups often associated with motor parks, bus garages, ticket collections, and the everyday realities of navigating public transport in Lagos. Critics argue that giving such groups enforcement responsibilities could create opportunities for harassment, extortion, and abuse of power.
The concern isn’t necessarily about the need to keep Lagos clean. Most people agree that indiscriminate dumping is a serious problem. The issue is who gets empowered to enforce the rules.
Across social media, many users questioned why the government would rely on transport union members rather than strengthening existing environmental agencies.
But Where Should People Throw Their Waste?
Another criticism is that enforcement alone does not address the root of the problem.
Many residents complain that waste collection in some areas remains inconsistent. In some neighbourhoods, refuse can sit for weeks before evacuation. Others say they struggle with irregular pickups and limited disposal options.
For these critics, introducing a waste police task force feels like punishing residents before fixing the system.
Their argument is simple: if the government wants people to stop dumping waste illegally, there should first be reliable and accessible ways to dispose of that waste properly. Without that, enforcement may simply target the symptom rather than the cause.
Why a Waste Police When KAI Already Exists?
A question that kept coming up online was:
“Don’t we already have KAI?”
The Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) corps was established to enforce environmental and public order laws across Lagos. Their responsibilities already include sanitation enforcement and addressing environmental offences.
This has led many Lagosians to wonder why a separate waste police structure is necessary. Instead of creating another enforcement body, some residents believe the government should focus on improving the capacity, funding, and effectiveness of agencies that already exist.
What Lagosians Are Proposing Instead
- More Waste Collection Trucks
Residents want increased investment in waste evacuation infrastructure so refuse can be cleared faster and more consistently across the state.
- Better Support for LAWMA Officials
Many believe sanitation workers and LAWMA personnel deserve better equipment, improved working conditions, and adequate compensation to do their jobs effectively.
- Faster Waste Evacuation
One of the biggest complaints remains the speed of waste collection. Several Lagosians argue that reducing collection delays would significantly reduce illegal dumping.
- More Public Disposal Points
Others believe the state should provide more accessible waste collection points, especially in densely populated areas where disposal options are limited.
