26 Convicted For Illegal Waste Disposal In Lagos

Twenty-six persons have been sentenced by a Magistrate Court, sitting in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State for dumping waste indiscriminately in different parts of the state.

The Environmental Special Offences Court of Lagos State District presided over by Magistrate Mcdavies Amore, imposed a ₦30,000 fine per person or the option of community service for engaging in reckless waste disposal across various locations in the state on the 26 persons.

The environmental offenders Osun Defender gathered were arrested by 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 9.30 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The Managing Director, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, while commenting on the judgement, 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.

He said, “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.”

The LAWMA boss appealed to 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 Private Sector Participant, PSP operators, warning that there would be no hiding place for defaulters.