Health
Police partner Lagos waste managers to curb illegal disposal
By Anozie Egole
The Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Lagos State Police Command have resolved to deepen their collaboration to combat indiscriminate waste disposal, prevent illegal activities and encroachment at dumpsites, and improve the security of waste management facilities and personnel across the state, according to a statement by LAWMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mukaila Sanusi.
According to the statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja.
Gbadegesin also sought stronger police support for the Authority’s enforcement and operational activities.
He stated that the rapid influx of people into Lagos had continued to place pressure on the state’s waste management infrastructure by contributing to the increasing volume of waste generated within the metropolis, which he put at between 13,000 and 16,000 tonnes daily.
The LAWMA boss emphasised that the volume of waste generated in the state required sustained operational interventions, “complemented by effective enforcement and inter-agency collaboration to tackle indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations.”
“While LAWMA was intensifying waste collection, infrastructure development, recycling and resource recovery initiatives, stronger collaboration with security agencies remained critical to protecting waste management infrastructure and ensuring the effective enforcement of environmental regulations,” Gbadegesin said.
He also raised concerns about the safety of LAWMA personnel, including enforcement officers, street sweepers and others deployed to evacuate indiscriminately dumped waste.
The LAWMA MD noted that some officers had, in the course of carrying out their statutory duties, encountered resistance and attacks from unauthorised persons, including armed scavengers.
Gbadegesin, therefore, called for enhanced security support around critical LAWMA facilities, operational locations and areas prone to illegal activities, stressing that the safety of personnel was essential to sustaining efficient waste management operations in the state.
“We are committed to working closely with the Police and other relevant security agencies to restore order around waste management facilities, protect our personnel and infrastructure, and ensure that anyone who assaults or obstructs our officers while performing their lawful duties is made to face the consequences of such actions,” he said.
Responding, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, recognised LAWMA’s vital role in promoting a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and commended the authority for its sustained efforts to improve waste management and environmental sanitation across the state.
Fatai observed that indiscriminate dumping and other environmental violations by some residents continued to undermine the gains recorded in waste management, stressing the need for stronger enforcement, public awareness and responsible behaviour by residents.
He 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.
He said, “The command would work closely with LAWMA to ensure that environmental offenders were made to face the consequences of their actions, while supporting LAWMA’s efforts to protect its facilities, personnel and operational assets.”
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both agencies to sustained collaboration, effective enforcement and stakeholder engagement as part of collective efforts to promote a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos.
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