Lagos tackles waste buildup along Ayobo-Ipaja axis

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has commenced a special intervention to clear accumulated waste along the Ayobo-Ipaja axis, particularly Megida and its environs, following concerns over indiscriminate dumping on road medians within the area.

Speaking on the intervention on Friday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the agency had responded to the situation by deploying its operational team to clear the affected medians, “while enforcement personnel were also on ground to address the infractions responsible for the recurring waste accumulation.”

The Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi, announced this in a statement over the weekend obtained by The PUNCH.

He explained that routine monitoring had established that indiscriminate dumping along the affected corridor was being fuelled largely by illegal trading activities, including markets operating on road medians, as well as residents who failed to patronise the PSP operators assigned to their areas.

“We are working here right now to clear the accumulated waste and restore the affected areas to acceptable environmental standards. At the same time, our enforcement team is on the ground to address the activities responsible for the recurrence of these dumping points. Clearing the waste is only one part of the intervention; we must also prevent redumping and ensure that residents use the approved waste collection channels,” he said.

Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA had also apprehended two tricycles (Keke Marwa) for illegally bringing waste from the community to the road medians.

He added that LAWMA would not allow unauthorised waste collectors to undermine the formal waste management system.

Gbadegesin urged residents, traders and businesses in Ayobo-Ipaja to support the waste management system in the state by patronising their assigned PSP operators and refraining from dumping waste on road medians, roadsides and other unauthorised locations.

The LAWMA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to responding promptly to environmental concerns across Lagos.

He noted that waste evacuation would be complemented by enforcement, improved collection arrangements and sustained monitoring to prevent the re-emergence of cleared dumping hotspots.

Gbadegesin called on residents to cooperate with its operational and enforcement teams in sustaining the gains of the intervention and keeping the affected areas clean.

He warned against any attempt to interfere with, obstruct or frustrate the lawful operations of the agency, stressing that environmental enforcement was a statutory responsibility that must be respected by all persons and institutions.

“We will not tolerate any interference with our efforts to clean the city and protect the environment. Anyone who obstructs, assaults or interferes with LAWMA personnel in the lawful discharge of their duties will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, irrespective of whether such a person is a resident, trader, operator, government official or any other individual,” he said.

He reiterated that the agency would operate within the law and partner with relevant stakeholders to restore environmental order across Lagos, stressing that no person or organisation should hinder lawful efforts to maintain a clean city.