In a bid to protect public health and improve environmental standards, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has stepped up surveillance and enforcement against illegal dumping, urging Lagos residents to comply with proper waste disposal practices.
Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin acknowledged recent waste management challenges in parts of the state but assured residents that LAWMA remains committed to curbing reckless disposal habits.
According to him, “The state’s coastal geography makes enforcement extremely important.
“A bag of refuse tossed into a drain does not disappear. It blocks culverts, worsens flooding, exposes households to contaminated water, and sends plastics and debris into our canals and lagoon systems. Illegal dumping has consequences far beyond the act itself”, Gbadegesin said.
He explained that LAWMA has adopted an intelligence-driven enforcement model combining surveillance, community reporting, and swift prosecution of offenders. “We have intensified state-wide campaigns, arresting and prosecuting recalcitrant offenders to serve as a deterrent. Lagos cannot achieve a clean, flood-resilient city without consequences for illegal dumping and non-compliance”, he said.
Gbadegesin also reassured residents that LAWMA continues to support Public Sector Participant (PSP) operators, with the state government helping to recapitalise them for optimal performance.
In a related operation, LAWMA cleared accumulated waste at a notorious black spot in Somolu LCDA through a joint effort with Somolu LCDA, Bariga LCDA, and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). Night and early-morning patrols have been introduced to secure the site. “Several offenders have already been apprehended, including commercial tricycle operators. Advocacy and enforcement must be continuous and backed by real-time surveillance,” Gbadegesin said.
Chairmen of Somolu and Bariga LCDAs pledged stronger collaboration with LAWMA, promising sustained advocacy and strict enforcement, while calling on councils to take ownership of waste management within their jurisdictions.
To increase public awareness, LAWMA has intensified radio and social media campaigns on recycling, proper disposal, PSP operations, and penalties for violations.
“While enforcement is our duty, voluntary compliance is key. Lagosians must embrace responsible waste disposal because a polluted environment harms everyone. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility”, Gbadegesin urged.
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