By Our Correspondent
Lagos, Nov. 17, ’25 (TNZ) The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says it has intensified enforcement operations across the state to curb indiscriminate waste disposal, black spots and persistent environmental violations that threaten public health.
TheNewsZenith reports that Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, LAWMA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, announced this in a statement, on Monday, in Lagos.
Gbadegesin acknowledged that there were challenges in waste management in some areas. He, however, reiterated the Authority’s committment to eliminating reckless disposal practices.
The LAWMA boss said Lagos’ coastal geography made strict enforcement unavoidable. He noted that waste dumped into drains and canals worsen flooding.
According to him, such wastes contaminate water sources and disrupte the city’s environmental systems.
“A bag of refuse tossed into a drain anywhere in the metropolis 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,” TheNewsZenith quotes Gbadegesin as saying.
He said the Authority had moved from episodic exercises to an intelligence-driven enforcement model, integrating surveillance, community reporting and swift prosecution of offenders.
The MD said the agency had carried out far-reaching operations in several parts of the state. He added the Authority had arrested and prosecuted many violators to serve as deterrent.
“Enforcement is central to our mission. Lagos cannot achieve a clean, flood-resilient city without consequences for illegal dumping and non-compliance.
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“We are acting decisively to ensure there is no room for environmental infractions,” he said.
Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA would continue to work with Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. It would also provide backup services in areas needing urgent attention.
He added that the state government was supporting PSP operators to recapitalise for better service delivery.
He said the Authority recently completed the evacuation of a notorious dumpsite in Somolu Local Council Development Area.
”We achieved this in partnership with Somolu LCDA, Bariga LCDA and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
”The OPC will now secure the site and conduct night and early-morning patrols.
”We have apprehended several offenders, including commercial tricycle operators who were caught dumping waste illegally.
“This shows that advocacy and enforcement must be continuous and backed by real-time surveillance,” TheNewsZenith quotes him saying.
TheNewsZenith reports that the chairmen of Somolu LCDA and Bariga LCDA pledged stronger collaboration with LAWMA to sustain the advocacy and enforcement.
This is in line with the State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources’ directive for LGAs and LCDAs to take ownership of waste management in their areas. (TNZ)
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