Illegal Dumping: LAWMA Removes Sweepers, Supervisors and Service Provider in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has disengaged some street sweepers, their supervisors and a service provider following an investigation into alleged indiscriminate waste disposal along the Berger-Oworonshoki axis.

The authority said the decision followed sustained surveillance of a road median that had repeatedly emerged as a waste disposal hotspot.

According to LAWMA, investigations established that some of the sweepers assigned to the area were allegedly involved in dumping refuse there.

The workers were reportedly questioned during the investigation, with the authority saying they confessed to the act.

LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency would not exempt personnel or contractors from enforcement where violations were established.

He said the authority’s responsibility was to keep Lagos clean and that everyone involved in achieving that objective had a responsibility to meet the required standards.

The latest action comes amid continued efforts by LAWMA to tackle illegal waste disposal at locations across Lagos.

In the Berger-Oworonshoki area, the authority also arrested two suspected illegal waste dumpers.

One of the suspects, identified as Timileyin Ojo, was allegedly caught using a wheelbarrow to dump waste on the road median.

The second suspect was described as a cart pusher accused of unauthorised waste collection.

LAWMA said the suspects were taken to the Oshodi Task Force Office, known as the Mobile Court, for further investigation and prosecution under relevant environmental laws.

The authority urged residents, businesses and waste collectors to use approved channels when disposing of refuse.

Residents were also advised to patronise only authorised Private Sector Participants responsible for waste collection.

LAWMA said its enforcement teams would continue monitoring the Berger-Oworonshoki corridor as well as other areas identified as recurring waste hotspots.

The authority warned that further enforcement measures would be taken whenever investigations establish environmental violations.

It also appealed to residents to report cases of illegal dumping and unauthorised waste collection.

The agency said cooperation between government authorities, residents, businesses and waste management operators remained necessary to improve environmental cleanliness across Lagos.

For the authority, the disengagement of the affected workers and service provider represents part of a broader effort to enforce accountability throughout the waste management chain.