The Lagos state government has reiterated total intolerance to illegal and reckless waste disposal in unauthorised places.
The statement followed the arrest, preparatory to prosecution of some residents of Aboru in Alimosho, whose wards were recently caught emptying their bags of trash in a drainage channel at the front of their home during a recent heavy downpour on the instructions of their parents.
Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, while speaking to journalists at the weekend, reminded residents of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s executive order on zero-tolerance to environmental infractions, stressing that violators would be appropriately sanctioned under relevant environmental laws of the state, which forbids indiscriminate refuse disposal by residents.
He emphasised the need for residents to support efforts of the state government in tackling the problem of flooding and other environmental hazards in the metropolis, by ensuring that they do not dispose refuse in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm human health. They were also enjoined to bag their wastes appropriately and patronise assigned PSP operators.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA had intensified the distribution of waste disposal bags under its blue box initiative for residents to sort their wastes and dispose appropriately, through PSPs operating in their areas.
The LAWMA boss warned that under no circumstances should anyone dump refuse in drainage channels, medians, lagoons or any other unauthorised outlets.
He also advised residents to promptly contact the authority using the toll-free line 07080601020, for complaints and relevant information.
