4th May, 2024
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has arrested 1,081 environmental offenders in the last one year.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this on Friday at a ministerial news conference in Alausa, Ikeja.
Wahab said disclosed that LAWMA during the period under review identified 103 illegal blackspots across the metropolis and made efforts to ensure it dislodged them.
“A total number of 1,081 environmental offenders were arrested for various environmental offences with 1,016 being prosecuted by the Mobile Magistrate’s court and sentenced to community service at various locations in the state, with an option of fine.
“Monitoring gangs were also deployed across 20 Local Governments to capture evidence of illegal dumping activities and possible prosecution,” he said.
The commissioner said LAWMA improved containerization and sanitation practices in markets, plazas, malls, warehouses, and mechanic workshops achieved through awareness campaigns promoting proper waste management practices.
He added that the Lagos State Government through LAWMA signed an MOU with Jospong Group on waste treatment solutions in the state.
“This MOU will see to the Identification of existing dumpsites/TLSs as potential candidates for conversion/upgrading to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and compost facilities.
“Collaboration between LAWMA and Jospong technical teams will Re-engineer the solid waste management system in Lagos State and ensuring Creation of job opportunities in the Waste to Wealth value chain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wahab disclosed that following his announcement of a ban of use, sale and distribution of Styrofoam food containers on January 22, 2024, due to grave health concerns and the dangers to the ecosystem and drainage channels, the Ministry through the Sanitation Services Department facilitated meetings with stakeholders concerned and followed up the three weeks moratorium to mop-up Styrofoam products from distributors and Lagos markets.
“After the expiration, enforcement activities were commenced by joint effort of Scientific Officers in the Ministry, Environmental Health Officers as well as KAI personnel in the State.
“A total of over 900 kg of Styrofoam food containers have so far been confiscated and deposited at the TLS Marini in Oshodi for destruction. More efforts are however being intensified on public awareness and sensitization of residents on the dangers inherent in the continued usage of the Styrofoam food containers,” he said.