The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has called on residents of the state to actively support its efforts at strengthening sustainable waste collection and evacuation, as part of the drive to achieve a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the appeal during a media chat in Lagos, urging Lagosians to promptly report cases of illegal dumping in their neighbourhoods.
Dr. Gbadegesin commended local government councils across the state for reinforcing waste policing and grassroots enforcement, while encouraging councils yet to adopt the initiative to emulate those already promoting environmental compliance at the community level.
According to him, effective waste management requires strong collaboration among state agencies, local councils, and responsible citizens.
He noted that several local governments had taken proactive steps by establishing waste policing and monitoring structures within their jurisdictions, in support of LAWMA’s ongoing efforts to curb indiscriminate dumping and improve environmental sanitation.
Dr. Gbadegesin stressed that localised enforcement remains critical to sustaining cleanliness across communities, adding that while progress has been recorded through enforcement actions, long-term success depends largely on the active participation of residents.
He urged residents to go beyond sharing images of filthy locations on social media and instead provide actionable information that would help authorities identify and sanction offenders.
The LAWMA boss explained that timely reporting of illegal dumping, supported where possible with photographs or videos, would enable faster intervention and accountability, noting that many waste management challenges are driven by human behaviour.
Dr. Gbadegesin also called on social media users and content creators to promote responsible civic engagement, emphasising that community vigilance is essential to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
He cited a recent incident at Ladipo Market as an example of the effectiveness of enforcement, revealing that four individuals were apprehended for illegal dumping following sustained monitoring and the temporary seal-off of a section of the market over non-compliance with waste management regulations.
According to him, the suspects were handed over to LAWMA operatives for prosecution, describing the development as proof that consistent enforcement, supported by market leadership and community cooperation, can significantly improve sanitation outcomes across the state.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh