Despite Worsening Waste Crisis, Environment Ministry Spends N1.05bn on Emergency Rescue Equipment

Despite Lagos State’s growing waste management challenges, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has reportedly spent more than N1 billion on emergency rescue equipment—an area that falls outside its official mandate.

A review of the state’s second- and third-quarter budget performance reports shows that N1,158,161,994.30 was allocated for the purchase of “Emergency Rescue Equipment.” Of this, the ministry spent N1.051 billion in the second quarter and an additional N205,832.60 in the third quarter. By the end of Q3, the ministry had used 90.8% of the funds, leaving just N106,228 unspent.

However, rescue and emergency operations in Lagos State are typically the responsibility of agencies under the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, including:

Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)

Lagos State Safety Commission


Meanwhile, many communities across Lagos continue to struggle with mounting heaps of refuse, blocked drainage channels, and other environmental problems that require urgent funding.

When contacted for clarification, the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, initially denied knowledge of any such expenditure.

“I have made enquiries from my two permanent secretaries… we don’t have any record of such approvals. Please check your assertions very well,” he said.

After being informed that the figures were taken directly from the state’s budget performance report, he said he would consult the ministry’s budget officer. He later responded that planning officers were unaware of any contract worth over N1 billion for rescue equipment. Further clarification was still pending at press time.

The situation raises key governance questions:

Why would the Ministry of Environment allocate such a large sum to procure emergency rescue equipment, a responsibility belonging to other state agencies?

How does this expenditure align with the ministry’s core mandates, especially when Lagos is battling major environmental issues such as waste disposal, flooding, and pollution?