Dare Babalola
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has stepped up enforcement operations across Alimosho Local Government Area and adjoining Local Council Development Areas, resulting in the arrest of offenders and the sealing of properties linked to environmental infractions.
This was disclosed in a press release issued on Friday by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.
According to the statement, the enforcement exercise, carried out by LAWMA’s Project W.I.S.E (West) team, targeted indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal dumping, and other activities contributing to environmental degradation, particularly within the Ikotun axis and surrounding communities.
During a night surveillance operation, officials apprehended a 15-year-old boy, identified as Chukwudi Opara, for illegally dumping refuse at the Ikotun-Egbe roundabout around 10:00 p.m.
“During a night surveillance operation, a 15-year-old boy, identified as Chukwudi Opara, was apprehended for illegally dumping waste at the Ikotun-Egbe roundabout at about 10:00 p.m., and was subsequently handed over to the Task Force office in Oshodi for appropriate action,” the statement said.
In a related operation, LAWMA sealed a car lot located at Iroko Estate along LASU-Isheri Road for discharging waste into drainage channels. A furniture showroom was also shut down over similar environmental violations.
The agency further issued an intention-to-seal notice to a mini store at Diamond Estate for failing to engage the services of a registered Private Sector Participant (PSP) operator, in contravention of established waste management regulations.
The enforcement action also followed complaints from residents of Kaslat/Sarumi Street in Alimosho, who reported the use of an undeveloped gated plot as an illegal dumpsite by cart pushers, who also burned waste at the location.
Responding to the complaint, LAWMA officials sealed the property and arrested a 65-year-old security guard, Abubakar Yunusa, who was found to be complicit in the illegal activity.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, reiterated the agency’s commitment to sustaining enforcement efforts across Lagos State.
He warned that environmental violations such as indiscriminate waste disposal, open burning of refuse, and patronage of unregistered waste handlers remain serious offences under state laws.
“Indiscriminate dumping of waste, burning of refuse, and patronage of illegal waste handlers remain serious offences under Lagos State environmental laws and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Gbadegesin urged residents to take responsibility for proper waste disposal by engaging only LAWMA-accredited PSP operators and reporting environmental infractions through official channels.
He also assured that the authority would continue to respond swiftly to public complaints while strengthening collaboration with communities to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“He further assured that the Authority would continue to respond promptly to public complaints and strengthen collaboration with communities to maintain a cleaner and safer Lagos,” the statement added.
