The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its enforcement drive across the state, sealing Ile Iyan, a restaurant on Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba, for violating waste disposal regulations. The Authority also carried out a major clampdown on illegal cart pushers operating in Ejigbo, Isolo, and Somolu, who were found to be engaging in environmentally harmful practices.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, explained that the restaurant was closed after evidence of improper waste disposal was discovered near Aje Comprehensive High School’s fence in Sabo, Yaba. Although Ile Iyan claimed to be registered with LAWMA, it failed to provide any proof of registration or documentation, leading to the sealing of its premises to enforce compliance. He reiterated the importance of all businesses adhering to waste management guidelines to sustain a clean and healthy environment in Lagos.
LAWMA also addressed the persistent problem of illegal cart pushers, whose activities involve indiscriminate dumping of waste, which degrades the environment and poses serious health risks to residents. Dr. Gbadegesin called on Lagosians to desist from patronizing these operators and instead engage approved PSP operators for proper waste disposal. He described the cart pushers as a major challenge to the Authority’s efforts to maintain a cleaner Lagos.
The enforcement actions are backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, which prohibits the improper disposal of waste. Dr. Gbadegesin cited Section 82(1) of the law, which forbids dumping waste in unauthorized locations and prescribes fines of no less than ₦25,000 and potential jail terms under Section 109. He emphasized that the Authority, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), is committed to prosecuting violators to maintain environmental standards across the metropolis.
Dr. Gbadegesin urged residents to embrace collective responsibility in maintaining a sustainable environment, warning that improper waste disposal contributes to preventable issues such as flooding and diseases like cholera. He encouraged compliance with waste management regulations to protect the health and safety of Lagosians.
