The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has sealed premises along Ago Palace Way over persistent illegal waste dumping and arrested 11 persons for unauthorised waste disposal in parts of Lagos Island.
The development was contained in a statement signed by LAWMA’s Director, Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, on Thursday.
The enforcement operations are part of LAWMA’s intensified efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and enforce environmental regulations across the state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the action demonstrated the Authority’s determination to ensure compliance with approved waste management practices.
According to him, the operation along Ago Palace Way covered plazas, hotels, lounges and warehouses identified as contributing to waste accumulation and environmental nuisance around road setbacks, medians and other unauthorised public spaces.
Gbadegesin said the separate enforcement operation on Lagos Island, covering Tinubu, Apongbon, Oke-Arin and CMC areas, resulted in the arrest of 11 persons for unauthorised handling and illegal disposal of waste.
The arrested persons were Shabban Tasiu, 20; Nkechukwu Nwokeji, 40; Kolawole Elija, 28; Sunni Sado, 30; Subairu Lawal, 28; Abi Lawal, 22; Sufianu Musa, 20; Yusuf Lawan, 18; Ahmed Lawal, 25; St. Peter Eze, 23; and Udo Richard, 32.
The LAWMA boss warned that indiscriminate waste disposal remained harmful to the environment and could reverse sanitation gains recorded across the state.
He therefore urged residents, traders and businesses to stop dumping refuse on roads, walkways, drains and other unauthorised locations.
“Waste should be properly bagged and handed over to accredited Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators,” Gbadegesin said, stressing that businesses and property owners must take responsibility for waste generated within and around their premises.
He explained that the enforcement exercise formed part of LAWMA’s broader strategy to tackle environmental violations at their source, improve cleanliness and promote responsible waste management practices.
Gbadegesin said the Authority would sustain monitoring operations across the state and take appropriate enforcement action against individuals and businesses found violating environmental regulations.
He stressed that the enforcement drive was not solely about apprehending offenders but also about encouraging compliance and achieving a lasting change in public attitudes towards waste disposal.
“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,” he said.
The LAWMA chief urged residents, traders, businesses and property owners to comply with environmental regulations, use approved waste disposal channels and support efforts to keep public spaces clean, accessible and environmentally safe.
He also called on members of the public to report illegal dumping and other waste management violations through the Authority’s established channels.
Gbadegesin noted that maintaining a cleaner Lagos required the collective responsibility of the government, residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
