Mixed Reactions Trail LAWMA’s Closure of Shops, Plazas, Over Waste Management Violations

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the Lagos Waste Management Authority’s (LAWMA) ongoing enforcement drive against businesses accused of violating environmental sanitation regulations.

TVC News Online had earlier reported that LAWMA commenced the sealing of shops and plazas along the Tejuosho–Ojuelegba corridor after the expiration of compliance notices issued to affected business owners over waste management violations.

The agency, through its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, also announced on Thursday that its Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement (WISE) team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and the Nigeria Police, sealed the Oluremi Tinubu and Anambra warehouses at Ijesha Bus Stop for alleged persistent indiscriminate dumping of waste on the road median.

READ ALSO: LAWMA Seals Shops, Plazas Over Waste Disposal Violations in Lagos

The enforcement actions have since generated widespread debate on social media, with some users commending the agency for enforcing environmental laws, while others accused it of failing to improve waste collection across parts of the state.

Reacting via Instagram, user @waiter.0001 praised the development but urged the agency to provide more waste disposal facilities.

“Good job, it’s not bad if LAWMA provides a public waste cabin,” the user wrote.

Another Instagram user, @oriekejoseph, criticised the enforcement exercise, arguing that the government should first improve refuse collection before sanctioning businesses.

“LASG should do better. For months, they haven’t come to pack up the trash but have the guts to seal up shops. Who will they blame for the trash at Mushin – Iyana Isolo bridge by the rice market? Who will they arrest for the waste that has claimed half of the road at Oshodi? They should spring to work and stop harassing citizens,” the user wrote.

Responding directly to the criticism, another Instagram user, @medox4real, defended LAWMA’s actions.

“So because they have not come to pick up trash, we should now litter the whole state with the trash? You must be a very unclean person,” the user said.

Also commenting on Instagram, @ariyo_olubusayomi claimed that refuse had not been collected in the user’s neighbourhood for months.

“For the past 3 months now we have not seen LAWMA truck to come pack refuse in our street; everywhere is stinking,” the user wrote.

On X, user @ADEDARSENAL urged the agency to extend the enforcement exercise to markets and motor parks.

“Task all market heads and marketers to clean their environment, all the motor parks, etc. Close it up if they refuse to clean their environment,” the user wrote.

Another X user, @i_am_afobaje, commended LAWMA’s enforcement but called on local government chairmen to play a more active role in maintaining environmental sanitation.

“Good work. Let’s task the LG chairmen to sit up. The state will achieve more if the LGs are functioning. The LG chairmen can easily setup taskforce in their respective LGs and the rest will be history. Today is Thursday, the entire Balogun/Marina is looking messy,” the user said.