26 persons sentenced to community service over indiscriminate waste dumping in Lagos

Twenty-six persons found guilty of indiscriminate waste disposal across various locations in Lagos have been slammed with a fine of N30, 000 per person or face the option of community service.

This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), which disclosed that the offence was established and fine imposed by a magistrate’s court, Environmental Special Offences Court of Lagos State District, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The environmental offenders were arrested by the enforcement team of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), at different locations in the state, disposing of their refuse in unauthorised places, between the hours of 9.30pm and 7.00am.

Commenting on the judgement, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the ongoing joint enforcement action by the Authority had been intensified, in line with the zero tolerance policy of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“The era of recklessness and disdain for the environment is over. Anyone caught under whatever guise will be made to face the wrath of the law. The exercise is a continuous one,” he said.

He urged residents to support efforts made to sanitise the environment, by shunning acts of reckless waste disposal, having waste receptacles at home, and patronising only accredited PSP operators, warning that there would be no hiding place for defaulters.

It would be recalled that 29 people were earlier sentenced to fines and community service by a magistrate’s court in Oshodi, for engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal, at different locations in the metropolis.

For waste management related issues in your area, call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.