No fewer than 30 Lagos residents have been arrested by officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority for engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal at various locations in Ipaja, Ikate-Surulere and Ikeja.
The operation was carried out by the enforcement unit of LAWMA in a bid to dislodge scavengers and miscreants from illegal dumpsites across neighbourhoods in the state.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, made this known in Lagos on Thursday.
The CEO revealed that, as part of efforts to make Lagos State cleaner, the authority had been patrolling neighbourhoods notorious for indiscriminate refuse dumping and the presence of scavengers who searched through waste piles.
“Activities of scavengers and miscreants not only deface our cities but also pose serious health hazards to residents.
“It is disheartening to see some individuals engaging in indiscriminate disposal because they do not want to pay for waste services.
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“This behaviour undermines the efforts of LAWMA and hampers our progress towards maintaining a clean and healthy environment,” he said.
The LAWMA team, according to Odumboni, apprehended individuals engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal at various locations in Ipaja, Ikate-Surulere and Ikeja, during the enforcement operations.
The CEO vowed that the agency will prosecute the suspects.
He expressed concern at Lagos residents’ increasing disregard for proper waste management practices, including prompt payment for waste services.
He added, “To achieve a cleaner and healthier city, residents must play their part in waste management.
“LAWMA, through Private Sector Participant operators, is working relentlessly to ensure efficient waste collection services, and we urge residents to take advantage of these services.
“By properly sorting and disposing of waste, we can establish a better quality of life for everyone.”
Odumboni added that LAWMA had embarked on awareness campaigns alongside the enforcement operations to educate residents on the importance of proper waste management.
He said the advocacy drive included community engagements, door-to-door visits and distribution of educational materials for enlightenment on waste segregation and responsible disposal.