Lagos: LAWMA Dislodges Scavengers, Miscreants From Illegal Dumps, Arraigns 30 Culprits

The enforcement unit of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has launched a robust operation to dislodge scavengers and miscreants from illegal dumpsites across neighbourhoods in the city, for a cleaner and healthier environment.

In the past few days, the LAWMA enforcement team has been routinely patrolling neighbourhoods across the state, notorious for illegal refuse dumping and the presence of scavengers, rummaging through waste piles, contributing to littering and unsightly landscapes and public spaces.

Commenting, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, expressed concern over residents’ increasing disregard for proper waste management practices, stressing the importance of prompt payment for waste services, and the negative consequences of indiscriminate disposal.

He said, “The 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. This behaviour undermines the efforts of LAWMA and hampers our progress towards maintaining a clean and healthy environment.”

During the enforcement operations, the LAWMA team dismantled shanties and illegal structures, apprehending individuals caught engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal, at various locations in Ipaja, Ikate-Surulere, and Ikeja, preparatory to prosecution of nothing less than 30 persons caught.

The LAWMA boss stressed the need for residents to take responsibility for their waste and participate actively in proper waste management practices, urging them to utilise services of PSP operators, to ensure scheduled collection of their waste, as well as taking advantage of various waste recycling initiatives introduced by the authority.

“To achieve a cleaner and healthier city, it is crucial for residents to play their part in waste management. LAWMA, through PSP 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,” he stressed.

Odumboni stated further, that LAWMA had continued to embark on awareness campaigns alongside the enforcement operations, to educate residents on the importance of proper waste management, adding that the advocacy drive included community engagements, door-to-door visits, and the distribution of educational materials, for enlightenment on waste segregation and responsible disposal.

He called on residents to support efforts of the Authority, by adhering to waste management guidelines, adding that, with concerted efforts of the agency and active participation of residents, the state would witness a significant improvement in waste management, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment for all.