Lagos denies replacing KAI with NURTW
June 23, 2026 9:32 am
File: State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab
The Lagos State Government has denied claims that it assigned the National Union of Road Transport Workers to take over the duties of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as KAI, or to arrest environmental violators.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday, while addressing what he described as misinformation.
The clarification follows recent reports and social media graphics claiming that the government was empowering NURTW members to act as “waste police” or take over KAI’s role in enforcement.
However, Wahab said the recent engagement between the state government and transport unions in Lagos State is not intended to replace the statutory responsibilities of LAGESC.
He explained that LAGESC, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, remains the duly empowered environmental enforcement arm of the ministry.
“As we are all aware, several environmental challenges persist within parks, garages, and the public transportation ecosystem, including illegal trading activities and the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and within transport facilities,” Wahab said.
He added that the government’s engagement with transport unions was aimed at fostering collaboration, promoting shared responsibility, and ensuring improved cleanliness and proper waste management within parks and garages.
“This partnership does not in any way diminish, transfer, or replace the enforcement responsibilities of LAGESC and the Task Force. Rather, it is a complementary initiative designed to strengthen environmental compliance, sanitation standards, and stakeholder participation in maintaining a cleaner environment across the state,” he stated.
Wahab assured residents that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority of the Lagos State Government, adding that the government would continue to engage stakeholders toward building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.
“We therefore wish to reassure all Lagosians that environmental cleanliness remains a top priority of the Lagos State Government. We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and partners in our collective effort to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos,” the statement added.
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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