Lagos street sweepers harassment revealed as LAWMA workers speak out on abuse unsafe roads and discrimination across the city
Street sweepers employed by the Lagos Waste Management Authority have raised fresh alarm over Lagos street sweepers harassment describing daily experiences of abuse intimidation and unsafe working conditions on major roads across the state.
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The concerns were shared during a recent episode of The Morayo Show where the workers spoke candidly about the social and physical toll of keeping Lagos clean despite what they described as persistent hostility from motorists residents and traders.
One of the sweepers Kafilat said confrontations with motorists were a regular occurrence especially on busy roads where vehicles are parked indiscriminately.
She said drivers often insist sweepers move elsewhere even when the areas suggested belong to other workers creating avoidable disputes and delays.
Another sweeper Olatitoye Adeola described how residents dump household refuse on already cleared roads long after LAWMA trucks have evacuated waste.
She said attempts to caution offenders are frequently met with threats and verbal abuse as people insist sweepers are paid to clean regardless of the circumstances.
Taiwo Ologunro said the Lagos street sweepers harassment is worsened by repeated sabotage of their work by roadside traders and residents who dirty cleared spots shortly after inspections.
According to her some residents throw refuse directly from moving vehicles while mocking the workers and questioning their wages.
Ologunro also raised concern about open defecation on highways and inner roads noting that sweepers are forced to clear waste manually amid overwhelming stench and public complaints.
Victoria Bamgbose said hoodlums and roadside sellers deliberately scatter dirt after sweepers have finished working forcing them to redo tasks under strict supervision.
She appealed for public support saying the workers are unfairly punished for actions beyond their control.
Another sweeper Fatimo Akinduro said they are sometimes instructed to remove ritual items and animal remains abandoned at road junctions.
She explained that when more serious discoveries are made supervisors or emergency services are contacted immediately.
Kehinde Ajibade highlighted discrimination faced in hospitals saying some sweepers are treated unfairly because of their uniforms despite being public workers.
She said colleagues now advise avoiding uniforms when seeking medical care due to stigma.
Kalejaiye Adenike described what she called a painful lack of empathy from sections of the public.
She said some residents treat sweepers as invisible while others respond aggressively when corrected for improper waste disposal.
Other workers also spoke about accidents on busy roads and delays in receiving help noting that some injuries could become fatal due to slow emergency response.
Responding to the Lagos street sweepers harassment claims LAWMA Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegeshin acknowledged the risks faced by workers and outlined government interventions.
He said the Lagos State Government has approved health insurance coverage for all 16,000 sweepers and completed biometric registration to ensure access to healthcare.
Gbadegeshin also warned residents against dumping refuse on roads stating that enforcement has intensified with hundreds already prosecuted and some jailed.
On safety he said CCTV cameras are being deployed to track reckless drivers who endanger sweepers while on duty.
Calling for empathy he urged Lagosians to respect sweepers and recognise their humanity and contribution to the city.
He said dignity must apply to all professions adding that no one should be treated as less because of the work they do.
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The episode underscored not only the physical strain of maintaining Lagos roads but also the hidden social cost borne by sweepers who say they feel unseen unheard and routinely mistreated.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
