The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has launched a special cleanup operation to remove accumulated waste along the Ayobo-Ipaja axis, particularly around Megida and nearby communities.
The intervention follows concerns over the indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians in the area.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the agency had deployed its operational teams to clear the affected areas, while enforcement officers were also working to tackle the activities contributing to repeated waste buildup.
The agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement issued over the weekend.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA’s monitoring showed that illegal trading activities, including markets established on road medians, were contributing significantly to the problem. He also blamed residents who fail to use the Private Sector Participation, PSP, waste collectors assigned to their areas.
He said the ongoing operation was aimed not only at removing existing refuse but also at stopping residents and traders from creating new illegal dumping points.
As part of the enforcement exercise, LAWMA apprehended two tricycles, popularly known as Keke Marwa, for allegedly transporting waste from the community and dumping it on road medians.
The LAWMA chief warned that the agency would not permit unapproved waste collectors to disrupt the state’s formal waste management system.
He urged residents, traders and businesses in Ayobo-Ipaja to patronise their designated PSP operators and stop disposing of refuse on roads, medians, roadsides and other unauthorised locations.
Gbadegesin said the cleanup would be supported by enforcement, improved waste collection arrangements and regular monitoring to ensure the affected areas do not return to their previous condition.
He also appealed to residents to cooperate with LAWMA’s operational and enforcement teams as the agency works to maintain the cleanliness of the affected communities.
The LAWMA boss warned that anyone who obstructs or interferes with the lawful activities of agency personnel would face prosecution.
He said such action would apply to residents, traders, operators, government officials and other individuals, stressing that environmental enforcement is a statutory responsibility.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to restore environmental order across Lagos and urged residents to support efforts to keep the state clean.
