The Lagos Waste Management Authority has warned that residents who patronise sellers operating unlawfully on highways, medians, walkways, setbacks and other unauthorised public spaces would be detained and prosecuted beginning next week.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this in a post obtained from its Facebook account yesterday at the authority’s headquarters. He said the measure was part of a renewed enforcement strategy to curb illegal trading, indiscriminate waste disposal and obstruction of public infrastructure across the Lagos State.
Enforcement will target illicit traders and their patrons who would be held accountable under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, he added.
“The law does not only forbid illegal street trading. It also makes it a criminal to purchase products exposed or offered for sale in forbidden places,” he said.
From next week, anyone discovered buying from traders on roadsides, medians, sidewalks, setbacks and other illegal locations will be arrested and prosecuted together with the traders in line with the law.
He said that anyone found guilty of the offence will be fined N90,000, sentenced to six months in prison or both.
Illegal roadside and median markets often create debris that ends up in drainage channels, roadways and other public spaces, the LAWMA boss said.
“Such activities, he said, lead to blocked drains, worsening traffic condition and increased public health risks.
“We want to break the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to restart after the enforcement actions. “People patronise them, so traders stay in public spaces,” Gbadegesin remarked.
“Buyers need to understand their behaviour is part of the problem, and they are also responsible in terms of the law.”
LAWMA also was increasing rubbish pickup in inner neighbourhoods and communities around previously removed dumping sites, Gbadegesin added.
He said service shortages identified will be remedied while deliberate dumping, redumping and patronage of illegal markets would draw punishment.
He encouraged citizens and companies to patronise designated markets and utilise approved rubbish collection methods, stressing that personal convenience should not be at the expense of public health, environmental cleanliness, traffic safety and orderly use of public places.
Gbadegesin reiterated LAWMA’s commitment to ongoing enforcement and stakeholder engagement as well as better garbage collection services, as part of efforts to eliminate open dumping and create a cleaner Lagos.
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