The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested seven individuals in the Ipaja-Ayobo area of Lagos State for illegally dumping waste on road medians.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this while speaking on the enforcement exercise, describing it as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat indiscriminate waste disposal, safeguard public infrastructure, and maintain environmental sanitation across the state.
According to him, the operation covered several locations, including Meiran, Command, Ayobo-Ipaja, Moshalashi Bus Stop, Egbeda, Isheri Roundabout, Igando, Abaranje, and Ikotun, where enforcement officials monitored activities and apprehended environmental offenders engaged in illegal waste disposal.
Gbadegesin noted that indiscriminate dumping of waste on road medians remains a major environmental challenge, contributing to blocked drainage systems, environmental degradation, and damage to public infrastructure.
He stressed that road medians are public assets intended for traffic management, beautification, and environmental enhancement, not waste disposal.
“The illegal dumping of waste on road medians is unacceptable and undermines government efforts to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. LAWMA will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement operations across the state to deter environmental violations and ensure compliance with existing regulations,” he said.
The seven suspects, made up of three women and four men, were reportedly caught while disposing of waste on road medians at different locations along the monitored routes.
LAWMA said the suspects were immediately transferred to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Task Force Office in Oshodi for prosecution in accordance with relevant environmental laws.
The agency also urged residents and business owners to patronise only approved Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators and make use of authorised waste disposal channels.
Gbadegesin emphasised that achieving environmental sustainability requires collective responsibility and strict adherence to established regulations.
He added that LAWMA would continue to deploy intelligence-driven monitoring and enforcement strategies across Lagos to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and promote cleaner communities.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on environmental infractions, the Authority called on residents to support ongoing efforts aimed at building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.
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