The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has secured a one-month jail term for a 56-year-old man, Adebayo Samson, who was convicted for illegally dumping refuse along the PWD axis of Agege Motor Road, Lagos.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed that the offender was apprehended by the Authority’s Monitoring and Enforcement Team while illegally disposing of waste at an unauthorised location on Friday, in violation of the environmental laws of Lagos State.
He stated that the suspect was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where he pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.
Dr. Gbadegesin reiterated that indiscriminate waste disposal remained a serious environmental offence that undermined the Lagos State Government’s commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.
“I must emphasise that anyone found disposing of waste on roads, road medians, drainage channels, open spaces or any other unauthorised location will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. There will be no exceptions,” he said.
He urged residents to patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators and dispose of their waste responsibly through approved channels, stressing that environmental cleanliness remained a shared responsibility.
The LAWMA boss assured residents that the Authority would continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations across the State, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to curb illegal waste disposal and promote responsible environmental practices that protect public health and preserve the environment.
He also encouraged residents to report incidents of indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations through LAWMA’s official communication channels for prompt investigation and enforcement action.
Dr. Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustaining the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, noting that consistent compliance by residents remained essential to achieving a cleaner, safer and more liveable Lagos.
