The Lagos Waste Management Authority has sealed more than 25 buildings, including a Mobil filling station, along Ago Palace Way, Okota, following an operation to clear accumulated refuse and tackle recurring illegal dumping on road medians and around bridge abutments.
The Sunday operation also led to the arrest of cart pushers allegedly involved in illegal waste disposal, with one of those arrested, identified as Shamusi Muritala, reportedly telling officials that he collected as much as N5,000 from customers to dump refuse on road medians.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, led the operation, which involved the deployment of compactor trucks, a payloader, tipper trucks and street sweepers to evacuate the waste along the corridor.
In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, and obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, the authority said it deployed “extensive operational resources and manpower” to clear the accumulated waste while enforcing environmental regulations against those found violating them.
The statement said the operation targeted “recurrent illegal dumping on road medians and around bridge abutments”, adding that LAWMA’s advocacy team also sensitised members of the public against indiscriminate waste disposal and encouraged them to use approved channels for handling refuse.
More than 25 buildings were sealed over what the authority described as environmental and regulatory infractions. According to the statement, the violations included the construction of illegal stalls on road setbacks and harbouring street traders whose activities contributed to littering and indiscriminate waste disposal.
Gbadegesin reiterated that LAWMA would enforce regulations against illegal street trading and people who patronised traders operating in prohibited locations.
He said such activities “undermine public order, obstruct movement and contribute to environmental degradation”, according to the statement.
The operation also highlighted the role of informal waste disposal businesses in the recurring dumping problem. LAWMA said Muritala, who identified himself as being from Katsina State, admitted dumping refuse on road medians and pleaded for leniency when questioned.
He reportedly disclosed that he charged customers up to N5,000 to dispose of their waste on the median.
The authority did not specify the total number of cart pushers arrested, the precise regulations breached by each sealed premises or the conditions under which the affected buildings would be allowed to reopen.
Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, and the Kick Against Indiscipline team supported the exercise.
LAWMA said it would sustain waste evacuation, enforcement and public engagement to curb illegal dumping, protect public infrastructure and maintain a cleaner environment.