By Barbara Nwaiwu
The Association of Scraps and Wastepickers of Lagos (ASWOL) has called for an independent investigation, compensation for affected members and the release of detained waste pickers following the reported destruction and burning of recyclable materials worth millions of naira during an enforcement operation in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.
ASWOL President, Mr Friday Oku, made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, describing the incident as a major economic and environmental setback for informal waste pickers and the state’s circular economy.
Oku alleged that the enforcement operation destroyed recyclable materials representing months of collection, sorting and aggregation by informal waste pickers, depriving many of their means of livelihood.
According to him, the informal recycling sector plays a vital role in Lagos’ waste management system by recovering plastics, metals, paper, glass and other recyclable materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, drainage channels and the environment.
He said waste pickers contribute significantly to environmental sanitation, resource conservation, job creation and climate change mitigation through their daily recovery of recyclable waste.
“The destruction and burning of recyclable materials worth millions of naira have not only plunged affected families into hardship but have also undermined efforts to promote recycling, resource recovery and environmental sustainability.”
“Open burning of recyclable materials releases toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases that endanger public health and further contribute to environmental degradation,” Oku said.
Oku appealed to the authorities to immediately release the detained waste pickers and ensure that anyone responsible for the destruction of the recyclable materials was held accountable in accordance with the law.
He also called on environmental organisations, climate advocates, human rights groups, development partners, the media and other stakeholders to support ASWOL’s demand for justice and accountability.
The association urged the government to conduct an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the incident, compensate affected waste pickers for their losses, recognise informal waste pickers as legitimate environmental service providers and strengthen collaboration with the informal recycling sector.
The incident occurred amid the Lagos State Government’s ongoing environmental sanitation enforcement exercise coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps.
According to the state government, the enforcement exercise, which has been ongoing for more than two weeks, is aimed at restoring environmental order, eliminating illegal waste disposal, removing environmental nuisances, clearing black spots and ensuring compliance with environmental laws across Lagos.
The operation has also involved the removal of illegal structures and facilities found to be obstructing drainage channels or violating environmental regulations.
However, ASWOL maintained that while it supports environmental enforcement and cleaner cities, legitimate recycling activities should not be criminalised or result in the destruction of valuable recyclable materials and the livelihoods of those engaged in waste recovery.
The association urged the Lagos State Government to deepen engagement with informal waste pickers and integrate them into the state’s waste management framework, describing the sector as a critical contributor to recycling, resource efficiency and the circular economy.
ASWOL reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos, stressing that protecting the rights and livelihoods of waste pickers would strengthen the state’s environmental sustainability agenda.
