LAWMA arrests resident for dumping waste into drain during rainfall

…As agency warns residents they risk six months in jail for patronising traders in prohibited public spaces

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), in collaboration with the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Mobile Police, has arrested a resident of Meiran, Lagos, for allegedly dumping waste into a drainage channel during rainfall.

The arrest followed a tip-off from members of the public, which enabled the enforcement team to respond promptly to the alleged environmental violation.

Disclosing this on Wednesday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended those who provided the information, describing their action as a demonstration of responsible citizenship and support for efforts to protect the environment.

Gbadegesin said the woman, who resides at No. 13, Lanre Adefiranye Street, Baale Bus Stop, Meiran, was arrested during a joint operation involving LAWMA’s Enforcement Team, KAI officials and the Mobile Police.

According to him, the resident was allegedly caught dumping waste into a drainage channel during rainfall and was subsequently taken to the KAI headquarters for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

The LAWMA boss urged residents to take an active role in protecting the environment by reporting indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental violations to the relevant authorities.

“Members of the public have an important role to play in protecting our environment. When you see indiscriminate dumping or any other environmental violation, speak up and report it. Timely information can help us respond quickly and prevent environmental offences from becoming bigger problems,” he said.

Gbadegesin urged Lagos residents to embrace the principle of “If you see something, say something,” stressing that environmental protection was a shared responsibility requiring active participation from communities.

He reiterated LAWMA’s commitment to tackling indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly practices capable of obstructing drainage channels and worsening environmental and flooding risks during rainfall.

The authority also warned residents against dumping refuse in drains, urging them to dispose of their waste through approved channels.

Meanwhile, residents who patronise traders operating in prohibited public spaces could also face legal consequences as part of the state’s renewed enforcement against illegal roadside and median markets.

The renewed warning, issued by LAWMA on September 8, is based on provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, which makes it an offence, in specified circumstances, for a person to purchase goods offered for sale from prohibited streets or places.

Under Section 151(2) of the law, a person convicted of the buyer offence may face a fine of ₦90,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both.

The provision, however, does not mean that every person who buys from a roadside trader will automatically be jailed. The offence applies to purchases made from locations covered by the relevant prohibition, while arrest, prosecution and conviction remain separate stages of the legal process.

LAWMA has indicated that enforcement would target not only traders occupying roads, medians, walkways, setbacks and other unauthorised public spaces, but also customers who patronise such traders.

The authority’s position is that illegal roadside trading can contribute to environmental pollution, obstruction of drainage channels and other public health and safety concerns, while patronage sustains the demand that encourages traders to return to cleared locations.

Residents have therefore been advised to patronise recognised markets, shopping centres and other authorised trading locations and avoid buying from traders occupying clearly prohibited public spaces.

LAWMA said the broader enforcement drive was aimed at promoting a cleaner and safer Lagos while reducing practices that contribute to environmental degradation and flooding.