By: Tijani Salako.
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced to begin apprehending and prosecuting roadside traders, buyers patronizing illegal markets on roads, median, setbacks, walkways and other unauthorised public space across the state from next week over indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental violation.
The enforcement, in line with Section 151(2) of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Mukaila Sanusi, following a briefing by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, at the agency’s headquarters.
Dr. Gbadegesin, said it is part of the measure to form renewed enforcement strategy to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and the obstruction of public infrastructure across Lagos State, explaining that enforcement would no longer focus only on illegal traders as people who sustain such activities by purchasing goods from them would also be held accountable under the relevant provisions of the Law.
“The law does not only prohibit illegal street trading. It also makes it an offence to buy goods exposed or offered for sale in prohibited places. From next week, anyone found buying from traders operating on roadsides, medians, walkways, setbacks or other unauthorised spaces will be arrested, alongside the traders, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
He added that a person convicted of the offence could be liable to a fine of N90,000, imprisonment for six months, or both.
Gbadegesin said that illegal roadside and median markets frequently generate waste that is dumped in drains, on roads and in other public spaces, thereby obstructing drainage channels, worsening traffic conditions and creating risks to public health.
“Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations. Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law,” he said.
The LAWMA boss noted that the Authority was simultaneously strengthening waste collection in inner streets and communities surrounding previously cleared dumping hotspots. He stressed that identified service gaps would be addressed, while deliberate dumping, redumping and patronage of illegal markets would attract enforcement.
He urged residents and businesses to patronise recognised markets and use approved waste collection channels, noting that personal convenience must not come at the expense of public health, environmental sanitation, road safety and the orderly use of the city’s shared spaces.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustained enforcement, stakeholder engagement and improved waste collection services as part of the drive to eliminate open dumping and achieve a cleaner Lagos.
