Lagos Denies Granting NURTW Environmental Enforcement Powers
The Lagos State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have been authorised to carry out environmental enforcement duties or arrest residents for violating sanitation laws.
The government described the reports as false and misleading, stating that transport union members have not been granted powers to act as officers of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, clarified that LAGESC remains the only legally recognised agency responsible for enforcing environmental sanitation laws in the state.
Wahab stressed that no individual, group or organisation outside the authorised government agencies has the mandate to arrest environmental offenders or enforce sanitation regulations.
He explained that recent engagements between the government and transport unions were aimed at improving cleanliness and waste management practices in motor parks, garages and other transport hubs across Lagos.
According to him, the collaboration was designed to encourage transport operators to take responsibility for maintaining cleaner public spaces and supporting government efforts to address environmental challenges.
He, however, emphasised that the arrangement does not include granting enforcement powers to union members or replacing the responsibilities of government agencies.
The commissioner noted that issues such as indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels and illegal trading activities remain major environmental concerns, particularly around busy transport locations.
He added that the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, alongside LAGESC, remains fully responsible for enforcing environmental laws across the state.
The state government urged residents to disregard misleading information circulating on social media and rely on official channels for accurate updates.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders, including transport unions, market associations and community groups, to promote improved sanitation and a cleaner environment across Lagos.
