The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to improve waste management across the state with the acquisition of over 200 compactor trucks and a warning to residents against patronising unregulated cart pushers.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held in FESTAC, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; his wife, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; and other stakeholders participated in the exercise.

According to the commissioner, the new trucks were acquired to strengthen waste evacuation and improve the efficiency and reliability of waste collection across Lagos.

The statement added that the ministry was working to address challenges at landfills, dumpsites and other major waste collection points across the state, while continuing discussions with Private Sector Participation, PSP, operators to improve service delivery.

The commissioner noted that residents’ willingness to pay for waste collection is directly linked to the quality and reliability of the services they receive.

The ministry said its intervention is therefore focused on making the waste management system work better for residents and other stakeholders across the state.

Wahab also warned residents against patronising unregulated cart pushers, saying their activities often contribute to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, roads and drainage channels.

According to the commissioner, such practices have serious consequences for the environment and flood management in the state.

Wahab stressed that efforts to maintain a cleaner Lagos require the cooperation of both the government and residents.

“Government will continue to provide the leadership, infrastructure and regulation needed, but residents must also take responsibility by properly disposing of their waste and keeping their surroundings clean — not only on sanitation days, but every day,” Wahab said.