The Lagos State government on Tuesday issued a stern warning to residents who persistently flout environmental laws, stating that henceforth, the full force of the law would be applied against offenders.
Speaking during a media briefing, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said a stiff penalty of about N250,000 or three months imprisonment awaits anyone caught dumping refuse illegally or littering the environment, as stipulated under the Lagos Sanitation Environmental Laws.
He added that repeat offenders would face even harsher penalties.
The commissioner warned those in the habit of dumping refuse or solid waste in drains, medians, or road setbacks to desist, emphasising that such actions contribute to flash floods, endanger public health, and deface the city.
Wahab also cautioned squatters on pedestrian bridges across the state to vacate, noting that they engage in open defecation and criminal activities, discouraging pedestrians from using the bridges and endangering their lives. He emphasised that defaulters would be prosecuted.
The government has arrested and prosecuted over 3,000 environmental offenders. However, we won’t drop the ball; we will continue to ramp up our enforcement and sensitisation. I want us all to know that behavioural change cannot be achieved overnight but over time,” he said.
Wahab further warned developers and builders against dumping building materials in drains or on roads during construction. He stated that all such contravening structures would be sealed, and the owners prosecuted. He reiterated the total ban on open defecation and urination.
According to him, over 1,710 public toilets have been provided by the government and private entities, with additional facilities available in eateries and petrol stations for public use.
Wahab reminded residents that the ban on all forms of street trading remains in place and warned that trading on roads, medians, open spaces, and walkways designated for pedestrians is strictly prohibited. He urged traders to restrict their activities to specified market or stall spaces.
The commissioner called on residents, households, and businesses to patronise only approved PSP operators, stressing that timely payment of waste bills supports the waste management system and ensures consistent service. He also tasked waste generators to take responsibility for proper disposal.
Let me reiterate that the ban on cart pushers has not been lifted because they indiscriminately dump waste across the state. Residents should desist from patronising them and instead rely on registered PSP operators,” he said.
Wahab announced that the World Environment Day would be celebrated tomorrow with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” describing it as an opportunity to appreciate the environment and highlight the importance of its care.
Speaking further, Wahab said, “As a state, we are committed to ending the scourge of plastic waste. There is no going back on the July 1 deadline for the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics after an 18-month moratorium for producers, distributors, and users.”