The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has disengaged some street sweepers, supervisors and a waste management service provider following allegations of indiscriminate waste disposal along the Oworonshoki-Berger corridor in Lagos.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
He said the decision followed investigations and monitoring activities conducted around the area, which had repeatedly been identified as a waste disposal hotspot.
According to Gbadegesin, findings from the investigation linked some workers within the waste management system to the alleged dumping activities.
He said some of the affected personnel admitted involvement during the investigation process.
LAWMA Warns Against Internal Violations
The LAWMA chief executive said the disciplinary action was necessary to maintain professional standards among workers and contractors responsible for keeping Lagos clean.
He warned that individuals assigned to protect the environment must not become part of the problem they were employed to solve.
“Our responsibility is to keep Lagos clean, and everyone involved in that responsibility must play their part,” he said.
Gbadegesin added that anyone found contributing to environmental challenges would face appropriate sanctions regardless of their position within the waste management structure.
More Investigations Underway
The agency said it would continue monitoring locations identified as recurring waste hotspots and take action against individuals or organisations involved in improper disposal practices.
Gbadegesin urged residents, businesses and waste operators to use approved waste disposal channels.
He also advised Lagos residents to engage only authorised Private Sector Participants (PSPs) assigned for waste collection services.
According to him, waste management personnel and private operators must maintain the same environmental standards expected from members of the public.
Illegal Dumpers Arrested Around Berger-Oworonshoki Axis
In a related development, LAWMA enforcement officials arrested two individuals suspected of engaging in illegal waste disposal activities around the Berger-Oworonshoki area.
The agency said one of the suspects, identified as Timileyin Ojo, allegedly used a wheelbarrow to dump waste on a road median.
Another suspect, described as a suspected cart pusher, was allegedly involved in unauthorised waste collection activities within the area.
LAWMA said the suspects were taken to the Oshodi Task Force Mobile Court for further investigation and possible prosecution under relevant environmental regulations.
Public Support Needed for Cleaner Lagos
Gbadegesin appealed to residents to support environmental enforcement efforts by reporting illegal dumping and unauthorised waste collection activities.
He said achieving a cleaner Lagos requires cooperation between government agencies, waste operators, businesses and residents.
He assured that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across the state, particularly in areas identified as frequent waste disposal points.
