LAGESC Vows Tougher Enforcement, Expanded Advocacy To Drive Cleaner, Safer Lagos In 2026
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Corps Marshal of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying enforcement and advocacy efforts to ensure a cleaner and safer Lagos.
Cole made this known during his opening remarks at the agency’s 2026 Management Retreat held at Jubilee Chalets in Epe on February 14. He said the retreat was convened to review the agency’s programmes and operations while strengthening strategies to enhance service delivery across the state.
According to him, the retreat aligns with the THEMES+ development agenda of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which seeks to make Lagos more habitable for residents and businesses through improved environmental standards and enforcement practices.
He noted that the theme of the retreat, “Leading the Change, Building Collaborations Towards Environmental Safety and Awareness,” underscores the need for collaboration, innovation and strategic decision-making in addressing environmental challenges in the state.
The Corps Marshal expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his continued support, as well as the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, for providing leadership and direction to the agency.
He also acknowledged the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, for his guidance and contributions to the agency’s operations.
Reviewing the agency’s activities in 2025, Cole said LAGESC intensified enforcement across major highways, inner roads, markets, pedestrian bridges and other public spaces.
The operations targeted street trading, illegal refuse dumping, abuse of road setbacks and medians, obstruction of drainage channels and unlawful occupation of pedestrian bridges.
He added that the agency sustained enforcement of the ban on Styrofoam food containers, describing them as a major contributor to blocked drainage systems and flooding due to their non-biodegradable nature, urging residents and businesses to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.
Cole disclosed that thousands of offenders were apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that the measures were corrective rather than punitive and aimed at promoting compliance and safeguarding public spaces.
In addition to enforcement, he said the agency embarked on advocacy campaigns through radio and television jingles, as well as stakeholder engagements with market leaders, to encourage voluntary compliance and curb street trading, indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental nuisances.
He further revealed that LAGESC recently intensified operations against unsafe highway crossing by pedestrians and acts of open defecation and urination, with several arrests made and offenders prosecuted through appropriate courts.
The Corps Marshal assured that enforcement operations would be sustained and expanded across the state to protect lives and ensure adherence to environmental and public safety regulations.
He also called for increased welfare support, manpower, operational resources and capacity building for the agency to enhance its effectiveness in line with the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations.
