By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS — Transport unions in Lagos, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), have agreed to suspend commercial operations for two hours on monthly environmental sanitation days.

Under the arrangement, no commercial vehicle will load passengers at parks and garages between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month.

The decision was reached at a strategic meeting between Lagos State Government officials and transport union leaders, as part of efforts to ensure compliance with the reintroduced sanitation exercise.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said transport operators would use the period to clean their homes and surroundings before resuming work.

He added that the unions would establish internal task forces to enforce compliance among members, noting that they are expected to support government policies in areas where they operate.

Wahab also stressed the importance of proper waste disposal, encouraging the continued use of waste bins in public transport to promote environmental hygiene.

The commissioner explained that the collaboration became necessary given the critical role of the informal transport sector, which accounts for over 70 percent of operators in the state.

“If we all agree that we want a cleaner Lagos, then we must cooperate to ensure the success of this initiative,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, urged transport operators to fully support the initiative and ensure adherence.

RTEAN Chairman, Comrade Shamsudeen Ajala, represented by Deputy State Secretary Comrade Kaojue Abolaji, assured that members would comply, stating that vehicles would only resume operations after 8:30 a.m. on sanitation days.

Other officials present at the meeting included the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; and Chairman of the Task Force on Environmental Offences, CSP Adetayo Akerele, among others.