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LAGOS, Nigeria - The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has reiterated the agency's dedication to the welfare of street sweepers.
He stated that these part-time workers are entitled to various social programs provided by the government.
Gbadegesin identified a person featured in a viral video, who accused the agency of mistreatment of sweepers, as a disgruntled former employee.
He emphasized that the workers receive not only welfare benefits aligned with those of government employees, regular wage adjustments, and healthcare access, but also participate in empowerment schemes designed to increase their earnings.
Currently, sweepers earn N40,000 for four hours of work each day, which, if adjusted to a full-time schedule, would surpass the national minimum wage.
While speaking on a television programme, Gbadegesin noted: “If they were full-time staff, at that rate they would be making N80,000 a month, which is N10,000 more than the national minimum wage. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that we do not care for them.”
Additionally, he mentioned that the agency is considering support to help sweepers pursue alternative vocations after their daily work to improve their income.
Gbadegesin further explained that "the street-sweeping program is a flagship initiative of LAWMA, and the government has consistently prioritized the welfare of the sweepers."
He highlighted that they have recently introduced health check-ups, discovering some sweepers with vision issues, for whom they arranged free cataract surgeries.
Apart from wages, LAWMA is also establishing biometric registration for the sweepers through the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRA) to ensure their access to health insurance (ILERA EKO) and other social support programs. Moreover, the agency is exploring support options to enhance their livelihoods, including providing tools for those involved in businesses such as hairdressing.
Addressing the concerns raised by the sweepers, the LAWMA chief acknowledged the potential issues with the vendor companies managing them and committed to thoroughly investigating any claims of exploitation.
However, he cautioned the public to consider the motivations behind some complaints circulating on social media, noting, “We are heading into a political period now. With two years until 2027, we are likely to see an increase in such narratives.”
As such, he urged that the activities of those spreading negativity should not be disregarded, especially as we enter a political season where discontent expressed in videos may be leveraged to undermine the government.
