LAWMA Expands Crackdown on Illegal Waste Dumping Across Lagos
Headline: LAWMA Seals Markets, Shopping Complexes in Alimosho Over Waste Disposal Violations
Sub-headline: Agency begins fresh compliance drive along Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified enforcement of environmental sanitation regulations, sealing several markets, shopping complexes and commercial premises in the Ikotun-Igando area of Lagos over persistent waste management violations.
The agency also announced the commencement of fresh compliance notices to businesses operating along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor ahead of another round of enforcement.
The enforcement operation, carried out on Saturday by LAWMA’s Project WISE West team, targeted markets and commercial establishments along the LASU-Igando Road corridor in Alimosho Local Government Area.
According to the agency, the affected traders and business owners repeatedly engaged in indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians despite several warnings, environmental sensitisation campaigns and notices of intention to seal their premises.
LAWMA said the latest exercise followed a similar enforcement campaign along the Yaba-Ojuelegba corridor earlier in the week, which it said led to improved compliance with sanitation regulations and cleaner surroundings.
Commenting on the exercise, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the success of the Yaba operation encouraged the agency to expand the enforcement to other strategic locations across the state.
He disclosed that, in addition to the closures in Alimosho, LAWMA had begun issuing notices of intention to seal markets, plazas, shops and other commercial facilities along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with Lagos State environmental laws.
Markets and business premises sealed during the operation include Owode Market, Omo Oba Shopping Complex, Oja Oba Market, Irewolede Market, Egan Junction Market, BoA Shopping Complex, Blissful Electronics Stores and several other commercial outlets found to have violated environmental sanitation regulations.
Gbadegesin said the affected facilities would remain shut until they complied with all stipulated environmental requirements and LAWMA was satisfied that corrective measures had been implemented.
He reiterated that dumping refuse on road medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations contravenes Lagos State environmental laws, warning that violators would continue to face strict enforcement.
The LAWMA boss urged traders, market associations, business owners and property managers to maintain clean surroundings, patronise only designated Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operators and desist from illegal waste disposal practices.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combining public enlightenment with strict enforcement to promote responsible waste management, protect public infrastructure and ensure a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
