LAGESC To Begin Enforcement Against Roadside Trading January 2026 As Traders Seek Moratorium

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Environmental and Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, has announced plans to commence a statewide crackdown on roadside and walkway trading from January 2026, warning that wares displayed on public roads and pedestrian walkways will be cleared and confiscated.

The Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olaniyi Cole (Rtd), made the declaration on Tuesday, December 30, during the Lagos West Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Meeting 2025 held at the Multi-Agency Safety Arena Hall, Bolade, Oshodi.

Themed “Building a Cleaner Lagos: Improving Compliance with Environmental Sanitation Laws,” brought together market leaders, transport unions, community leaders, government officials and members of the public.

Major Cole said the enforcement drive aligns with the Lagos State Government’s policy to eliminate street trading and other environmental infractions in order to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment for residents.

According to him, the Community Stakeholders Meetings, initiated in 2022, provide a platform for collaboration among market associations, local governments and development councils, environmental officers and sister agencies such as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Parks Agency (LASPARK) and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), with the aim of encouraging voluntary compliance with environmental laws.

“Throughout the year 2025, LAGESC intensified enforcement operations across major highways, inner roads, markets, pedestrian bridges and public spaces,” Cole said.

“These operations targeted street trading, illegal refuse dumping, abuse of road setbacks and medians, blockage of drainage channels and the unlawful occupation of pedestrian bridges.”

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Mr. Sanni Ismail Olayinka described KAI as a frontline agency in enforcing environmental sanitation laws in Lagos.

“KAI has continued to promote orderliness, cleanliness and public safety through sustained advocacy, monitoring and enforcement,” Olayinka said, noting that the Corps’ street-level presence and digital engagement have increased public awareness of environmental responsibilities.

Also speaking, the Iyaloja-General of Oshodi, Alhaja Sikirat Adeyanju, commended KAI operatives for sustained environmental surveillance, disclosing that market leaders in Oshodi now engage late-night sweepers to ensure daily waste evacuation, a move she said has improved cleanliness in the area.

She also praised the President-General of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, for what she described as visionary leadership.

During the interactive session, Major Cole assured stakeholders that concerns about the performance of some Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators were being addressed.

He however cautioned market leaders against encouraging illegal market structures and reiterated the agency’s commitment to working with Community Development Associations and Committees. He cited a recent three-week collaboration with Amuwo-Odofin Local Government that led to the removal of hundreds of environmental infractions.

A representative of LAWMA, Mr. Ashogba Jacob, explained that delays at dump sites during the rainy season were largely due to operational challenges, assuring participants that efforts were being intensified to improve waste evacuation across the state.

The meeting was attended by representatives of LASPARK, LNSA, the Nigerian Legion, market associations, community development groups and stakeholders from Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ifako-Ijaiye, Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Oshodi-Isolo, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin and Badagry areas.

However, reactions from stakeholders were mixed. Members of the Market Association of Lagos State appealed to the agency to grant a moratorium at the start of the new year, requesting additional time to engage traders involved in roadside trading.

They urged KAI to allow internal consultations and sensitisation efforts to take effect before commencing full enforcement, warning that sanctions should only be applied if compliance efforts fail in the coming months.