LAWMA WARNS PROPERTY OWNERS TO DESIST FROM ILLEGAL RECYCLING, SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OR FACE PROSECUTION
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued a stern warning to property owners, agents, and private occupiers in the state to henceforth desist from illegal recycling and scavenging in unlicensed facilities. It also advised them to halt indiscriminate dumping, storing, sorting, and trading of recyclable waste in their facilities and public spaces around them.
Commenting on a public notice issued by LAWMA to this effect, the Managing Director/CEO of the Agency, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin noted that such activities not only degrade the city’s aesthetic appeal but also disrupt the rights of other property owners, contributing to serious environmental and health hazards.
The final public notice states that “These activities violate the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017 and will not be tolerated. Any individual or entity engaging in illegal recycling or scavenging will face strict enforcement measures and penalties as prescribed by law”.
It further cited Part III, Sections 85 & 86 of the Law, which makes the deposition of recyclable waste in undesignated locations strictly prohibited, adding that LAWMA would take all necessary steps to enforce compliance, including prosecuting violators and shutting down offending facilities.
Commenting further, Gbadegesin said, “We cannot fold our hands and watch few people derail the ongoing efforts to make the environment cleaner and livable for all residents. I also want to add that property owners who permit unauthorised recycling or scavenging activities on their premises risk revocation of property rights and other legal consequences.”
The LAWMA boss urged residents and stakeholders to utilise only licensed recycling facilities and registered waste collectors to ensure proper waste management in Lagos State, encouraging the populace to report illegal activities through LAWMA’s official channels. He advised property owners, businesses and the public to take this final warning seriously and avoid actions that could lead to serious legal repercussions.
In a related development, a joint enforcement team, comprising officials of LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Department and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) have dislodged squatters and illegal recyclers at Ijora-Olopa underbridge, to sanitise the environment in the area.
Gbadegesin said the enforcement exercise would continue in other areas of the state, in line with the zero tolerance for waste policy, adding there would be no hiding place for any individual or group of persons bent on causing environmental degradation and undermining efforts of the Authority.
He, therefore, urged the general public to contact LAWMA via its customer service lines: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020, and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng for inquiries or to report illegal recycling activities.