Lagos floods: Wahab cautions Lagosians against dumping refuse in drains, on roadsides

…says Lagos is transitioning to sustainable circular waste economy

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has cautioned residents against indiscriminate refuse disposal noting that it undermines government efforts to maintain environmental sanitation across the state.

Wahab made this known during an appearance on the Hard Facts program, where he addressed growing concerns over waste accumulation, flooding, and sanitation challenges in the state.

Speaking on the worsening waste situation in parts of Lagos, the commissioner acknowledged recent challenges in refuse evacuation and apologized to residents affected by delays in waste collection.

According to him, the state government has already begun implementing measures to improve efficiency in the waste management chain and restore normalcy across affected communities.

“We had challenges in the system, but we are fixing them. Waste evacuation has improved significantly, and we will continue to ramp up operations across the state,” he said.

Wahab noted that despite continuous government investment in waste evacuation, drainage maintenance, and desilting operations, many residents still engage in the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into canals, gutters, and drainage channels.

He said such actions remain one of the leading causes of flash flooding during heavy rainfall. According to the commissioner, blocked drainage systems have significantly worsened flooding, particularly in low-lying and densely populated areas.

He warned residents against using drainage infrastructure as dumping sites, stressing that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved without behavioral change and public cooperation.

“Government cannot do it alone. Residents must become active stakeholders in keeping Lagos clean,” he said.

Wahab further disclosed that the state has intensified monitoring and enforcement operations across critical areas to curb environmental violations, including illegal dumping, street trading on setbacks, and encroachment on drainage alignments.

He warned that violators of environmental laws would face sanctions, adding that the government would sustain enforcement to ensure compliance.

Speaking on long-term reforms, the commissioner said Lagos is gradually transitioning from a landfill-dependent disposal model to a more sustainable circular waste economy focused on recycling, waste-to-energy solutions, and material recovery.

He noted that rapid urbanization and population growth have made the traditional landfill system unsustainable for a megacity like Lagos.

“The old landfill model is unsustainable for a city like Lagos. The future is in waste-to-energy, recycling, and better waste sorting at source,” he said.

Wahab also said government agencies are carrying out round-the-clock monitoring in flood-prone and environmentally vulnerable areas while strengthening waste management infrastructure across local councils.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to cleaner and healthier communities, stressing that lasting environmental sanitation will require collaboration between government agencies, private operators, and residents.