LAWMA seals shops, others in Lagos over indiscriminate waste disposal

The Lagos Waste Management Authority has sealed several shops along the Tejuosho-Ojuelegba corridor over indiscriminate waste disposal, as the agency intensified enforcement of environmental sanitation laws aimed at improving cleanliness across the state.

The operation, carried out on Sunday, involved the agency’s Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement team in collaboration with officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI, OP MESA personnel and the Nigeria Police.

The exercise targeted businesses accused of dumping refuse on road medians despite repeated warnings and sustained public sensitisation by the state government.

The Lagos State Government has in recent months stepped up enforcement of environmental sanitation regulations through LAWMA and other agencies as part of broader efforts to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, prevent flooding caused by blocked drainage channels and improve public health.

Authorities have repeatedly warned residents and businesses to patronise their assigned Private Sector Participant waste operators and comply with waste management laws or risk sanctions, including the sealing of their premises.

Announcing the operation in a statement posted on his official X account, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said enforcement was ongoing in parts of the metropolis with affected shops sealed for violating environmental regulations.

He stated, “Today, our @Lawma_gov Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement (WISE) team, working alongside @LAGESCOfficial (KAI) officials, OP MESA military personnel and the Nigeria Police, is carrying out another round of enforcement operations along the Tejuosho-Ojuelegba corridor, with shops being sealed over the indiscriminate disposal of waste on the road median.”

Gbadegesin added that the operation covered Modele Street, Fagbile Street and Maja Street, where authorities had continued to record environmental sanitation violations.

“The operation currently covers Modele Street, Fagbile Street and Maja Street, where persistent environmental sanitation violations continue despite sustained advocacy, repeated warnings and previous engagements. These enforcement actions are necessary to restore environmental order, protect public infrastructure and ensure compliance with Lagos State environmental laws.”

He further stated that the affected businesses would remain shut until they complied with the state’s sanitation requirements.

“The affected shops will remain sealed until the required sanitation standards are met and full compliance with environmental regulations is achieved,” he said.

The LAWMA boss stressed that the objective of the exercise was to encourage compliance with environmental laws rather than punish business owners.

Gbadegesin also appealed to residents and business operators to support the government’s efforts to improve environmental sanitation across Lagos.

“Our objective remains compliance, not punishment. We urge all businesses and residents to patronise their assigned PSP operators, keep their surroundings clean and dispose of waste responsibly. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier and more liveable Lagos,” he concluded.