In Ikoyi, Lagos, the Environmental Special Offences Court has levied fines and community service penalties on 40 individuals guilty of indiscriminate waste disposal, highlighting the severity of their actions and their adverse effects on the environment.
Each offender received a fine of ₦30,000 or an alternative sentence of six hours of community service in specified areas such as the General Hospital, Odan, and Tinubu Market on Lagos Island. This information was disclosed in a statement released by Mrs. Folashade Kadiri, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, reiterated the Authority’s unwavering commitment to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against indiscriminate waste dumping. “This ruling aligns with our commitment to fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all Lagos residents,” remarked Gbadegesin.
He stressed the critical importance of responsible waste disposal in preserving public health and maintaining the cleanliness of the surroundings. Emphasizing the need for residents’ support in this initiative, Gbadegesin urged everyone to responsibly dispose of waste using covered bins and underscored the link between the lack of waste containers at homes and the rise in indiscriminate dumping.
“The court’s penalties reflect the gravity of indiscriminate waste disposal. Stringent penalties await both individual and corporate environmental offenders as we strictly enforce our zero-tolerance policy,” Gbadegesin emphasized, encouraging residents to take personal responsibility for their waste disposal practices.
Highlighting the ongoing enforcement actions against indiscriminate waste disposal, the statement indicated that over 160 individuals had been arrested and convicted, facing fines or community service sentences designated by the Magistrates’ court. Gbadegesin concluded by rallying the public to collectively contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
