LAWMA, police strengthen fight against illegal waste dumping

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The Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Lagos State Police Command have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to tackle illegal waste dumping, curb activities around unauthorised dumpsites and protect waste management facilities and personnel across the state.

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In a statement obtained from the Lagos State’s X account on Wednesday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the Lagos State Police Command, GRA, Ikeja.

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Gbadegesin sought stronger police support for the Authority’s enforcement and operational activities, particularly in areas affected by indiscriminate waste disposal and illegal activities.

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He said the rapid influx of people into Lagos had continued to put pressure on the state’s waste management infrastructure, contributing to the increasing volume of waste generated across the metropolis.

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According to him, Lagos generates between 13,000 and 16,000 tonnes of waste daily.

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“The volume of waste generated in the state requires sustained operational interventions, complemented by effective enforcement and inter-agency collaboration to tackle indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations,” Gbadegesin said.

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He said LAWMA was intensifying waste collection, infrastructure development, recycling and resource recovery initiatives, but stressed that stronger collaboration with security agencies was critical to protecting waste management infrastructure and enforcing environmental regulations.

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The LAWMA boss also expressed concern over attacks and resistance faced by some of the Authority’s personnel while carrying out their duties.

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He said enforcement officers, street sweepers and other workers deployed to evacuate indiscriminately dumped waste had encountered resistance from unauthorised persons, including armed scavengers.

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Gbadegesin called for enhanced security around critical LAWMA facilities, operational locations and areas prone to illegal activities.

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“The safety of personnel is essential to sustaining efficient waste management operations in the state,” he said.

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Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, acknowledged LAWMA’s critical role in maintaining a clean, healthy and sustainable environment across Lagos.

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Fatai commended the Authority for its sustained efforts to improve waste management and environmental sanitation in the state.

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He noted that indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations by some residents continued to undermine the gains recorded in waste management.

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The commissioner stressed the need for stronger enforcement, public awareness and responsible behaviour by residents.

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Fatai assured LAWMA of the full support and cooperation of the Lagos State Police Command in strengthening enforcement operations and addressing cases involving illegal dumping, unauthorised occupation and encroachment of dumpsites, as well as attacks on LAWMA personnel.

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He said the command would work closely with LAWMA to ensure that environmental offenders faced the consequences of their actions while supporting the Authority’s efforts to protect its facilities, personnel and operational assets.

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The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both agencies to sustained collaboration, effective enforcement and stakeholder engagement as part of efforts to promote a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.

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