The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested 14 persons for alleged waste-related offences and seized scores of carts used for unauthorised waste collection in separate enforcement operations across Lagos.
In a press statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Dr. Mukaila Sanusi, LAWMA said the arrests were made during an operation on Lagos Island, while the seized carts were recovered along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as the agency intensified its crackdown on illegal dumping and unauthorised waste collection.
The LAWMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the enforcement operations were part of efforts to strengthen compliance with waste management regulations and curb activities undermining the state’s waste management system.
According to the statement, the Lagos Island operation covered Idumota, Oke-Popo, Tom Jones and Tinubu, where the 14 suspects were arrested for various waste-related offences, including allegedly dumping waste into the lagoon.
The suspects were identified as Buhari Danbaba, 35; Ayo Akindele, 25; Shamsudeen Lawal, 25; Ibrahim Isiaka, 20; Azeez Alatilehin, 20; Quadri Adisa, 23; Ogunbado Sobur, 20; Salimonu Oluwadamilare, 29; Odunayo Arinola, 35; Azeez Roqeeb, 24; Sherifdeen Mudashiru, 31; Nurudeen Saliu, 19; Zazilo Bello, 21; and Augustine Eje, 35.
LAWMA also said its operatives conducted an enforcement operation from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, leading to the seizure of scores of carts allegedly used for unauthorised waste collection.
Gbadegesin said unregulated waste collection and transportation could undermine the organised waste management system, particularly when waste collected through unauthorised means was eventually dumped at illegal locations.
He also warned against dumping waste in waterways, stressing that such practices could undermine the state’s environmental sustainability efforts.
The LAWMA boss urged residents, traders and businesses to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal and patronise accredited waste collection operators.
He warned that those found dumping waste on roads, drains, waterways and other unauthorised locations, as well as persons engaged in unauthorised waste collection, would face enforcement action in accordance with applicable laws.
Gbadegesin also urged residents to support LAWMA’s operations by maintaining proper waste disposal practices and reporting cases of illegal dumping and unauthorised waste collection through the Authority’s established channels.
