The Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has introduced a multi-agency enforcement strategy aimed at reducing indiscriminate refuse disposal and improving environmental sanitation across the community.
The council chairman, Lukmon Agbaje, announced the initiative during an environmental stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos.
Agbaje said the council had strengthened its environmental enforcement structure by providing a patrol vehicle for its newly established task force.
He added that two additional patrol vans had been donated to divisional police stations within the LCDA to support routine monitoring and enforcement activities.
Council Strengthens Security Partnership
The chairman explained that the new approach was designed to improve cooperation between security agencies and environmental officials.
According to him, effective waste control requires regular surveillance, quick response to violations and collaboration among relevant institutions.
“This multi-agency approach is particularly important because effective environmental enforcement requires continuous surveillance, rapid response and strong institutional cooperation,” Agbaje said.
He said the council would work closely with: Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Man O’ War Nigeria, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to improve sanitation enforcement.
Offenders to Face Prosecution
Agbaje said the environmental enforcement team would conduct daily operations to identify and arrest individuals who violate waste disposal regulations.
He explained that offenders caught dumping refuse illegally would be taken to the Safety Arena Oshodi for prosecution.
The council chairman said the strategy was not only focused on clearing existing waste but also preventing repeated environmental offences.
He noted that waste evacuation remains important, but enforcement and deterrence are equally necessary to achieve lasting cleanliness.
Council Targets Waste Collection Gaps
Agbaje said the LCDA recently carried out an “Operation Show Your PSP Receipt” exercise in collaboration with LAWMA officials.
The exercise was aimed at ensuring that residents and businesses were connected to approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste collection operators.
He said PSP operators who failed to meet required service standards were sanctioned and issued queries.
“A functional waste management system requires effective collection at the point of generation, timely evacuation and proper disposal,” he said.
The chairman added that the council would continue engaging LAWMA and waste operators to address service challenges.
Environmental Inspection Continues
The LCDA Supervisor for Environment and Waste Management, Olabode Okeowo, said officials had conducted an inspection exercise with LAWMA representatives.
He explained that the assessment was designed to identify areas requiring urgent attention and evaluate existing sanitation activities.
Okeowo said comprehensive waste evacuation would resume alongside stronger enforcement measures in line with Lagos State Government environmental policies.
“Sustainable environmental cleanliness cannot be achieved through government intervention alone,” he said.
He encouraged residents, traders, businesses, transport operators and community leaders to support sanitation efforts through responsible waste disposal practices.
Community Leaders Call for Cooperation
A community leader, Pius Ade-Babalege, highlighted environmental concerns affecting the LCDA.
He warned that continued dumping at unauthorised locations creates avoidable sanitation problems and increases pressure on government resources.
Ade-Babalege urged residents to patronise approved PSP waste collectors and avoid refuse disposal on roadsides, drainage channels and other prohibited areas.
