LAWMA arrests 11, seals premises over illegal dumping

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has warned that indiscriminate waste disposal remains detrimental to the environment and could undermine sanitation gains across the State.

This is as LAWMA, in its recent renewed enforcement efforts, sealed premises identified for persistent illegal waste dumping along Ago Palace Way and arrested 11 persons for illegal waste disposal in various parts of Lagos Island.

In a recent statement by the Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi, obtained by The PUNCH, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the enforcement operations underscored the authority’s resolve to enforce existing waste management regulations and ensure compliance with approved waste disposal practices across Lagos.

He stated that waste should be properly bagged and handed over to accredited private sector participation operators, adding that businesses and property owners must take responsibility for waste generated within and around their premises.

“Indiscriminate waste disposal remains detrimental to the environment and could undermine sanitation gains across the State. Residents, traders and businesses are urged to desist from dumping waste on roads, walkways, drains and other unauthorised locations,” he warned.

He explained that the Ago Palace Way operation covered plazas, hotels, lounges and warehouses along the corridor, as part of efforts to tackle activities contributing to waste build-up and environmental nuisance on road setbacks, medians and other unauthorised public spaces.

He added that the enforcement exercise on Lagos Island, covering Tinubu, Apongbon, Oke-Arin and CMC areas, led to the arrest of 11 persons for unauthorised handling and illegal disposal of waste.

“The 11 persons arrested were Shabban Tasiu, 20 years, Nkechukwu Nwokeji, 40 years, Kolawole Elija, 28 years, Sunni Sado, 30 years, Subairu Lawal, 28 years, Abi Lawal, 22 years, Sufianu Musa, 20 years, Yusuf Lawan, 18 years, Ahmed Lawal, 25 years, St. Peter Eze, 23 years, and Udo Richard, 32 years,” Gbadegesin mentioned.

According to him, the enforcement exercise formed part of LAWMA’s broader strategy to improve environmental cleanliness, tackle violations at source and promote responsible waste management behaviour.

He said that LAWMA would continue to monitor different parts of the State and take appropriate enforcement action against persons and businesses found violating environmental regulations.

He reiterated that the enforcement exercise was not intended merely to apprehend offenders, but to promote compliance and encourage a sustained change in public attitude towards waste management.

The LAWMA boss urged residents, traders, businesses and property owners to comply with environmental regulations, use approved waste disposal channels and support the Authority’s efforts to keep public spaces clean, accessible and environmentally safe.

He encouraged members of the public to report instances of illegal dumping and other waste management violations through LAWMA’s established channels, stressing that achieving a cleaner Lagos required the collective responsibility of government, residents, businesses and other stakeholders.