LAWMA Moves to Curb Illegal Waste Dumping, Reassures Lagosians of No Epidemic Threat

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has strengthened its enforcement operations across the state, focusing on indiscriminate waste disposal, notorious black spots, and recurring environmental offences that threaten public health and could potentially lead to an epidemic.

LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, acknowledged recent waste management shortcomings in some parts of Lagos but assured residents that the agency is fully committed to curbing reckless disposal practices.

He emphasised the critical need for strict waste management in Lagos, particularly because of the state’s coastal terrain.

“The state’s coastal geography makes enforcement extremely important,” Gbadegesin said. “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.”

According to him, LAWMA is now relying on an intelligence-led enforcement system that integrates surveillance, community reporting, and swift prosecution of environmental offenders.

“LAWMA has intensified far-reaching enforcement campaigns across the state, arresting and prosecuting recalcitrant offenders to serve as a deterrent. Lagos cannot achieve a clean, flood-resilient city without consequences for illegal dumping and non-compliance,” he said.

Gbadegesin also noted that the agency is continuing its support for Public Sector Participant (PSP) operators and offering backup services in areas requiring rapid intervention. He revealed that the state government is currently aiding PSP operators in recapitalising to boost their operational capacity.

In a related update, LAWMA confirmed the clearing of accumulated waste at a longstanding black spot in Somolu Local Council Development Area. The cleanup, carried out jointly by Somolu LCDA, Bariga LCDA and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), has been followed by night and early-morning patrols to prevent fresh illegal dumping.

“Several offenders have already been apprehended, with commercial tricycle operators featuring prominently among those caught dumping illegally. This shows that advocacy and enforcement must be continuous and backed by real-time surveillance,” Gbadegesin said.

The chairmen of Somolu and Bariga LCDAs pledged deeper collaboration with LAWMA, affirming their commitment to ongoing advocacy and stringent enforcement in line with directives from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. They urged councils to take full responsibility for waste management within their domains.

To further educate the public, LAWMA has intensified its radio and social media outreach, sensitising residents on recycling, proper waste disposal, PSP operations, and penalties for environmental infractions.

Dr. Gbadegesin called on Lagosians to report suspicious waste-related activities, stressing that lasting change depends on collective effort.

“While enforcement is our duty, voluntary compliance is what will secure the future. Lagosians must embrace responsible waste disposal because a polluted environment harms everyone. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility,” he said.

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