The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) issued a stern warning to property owners and residents in the state on Sunday, advising against illegal recycling and scavenging activities in unlicensed facilities.
The agency also urged the public to cease indiscriminate sorting, dumping, storing, and trading of recyclable waste both on private properties and in public spaces. Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, emphasized that such actions not only mar the city’s visual appeal but also infringe on the rights of property owners and contribute to environmental hazards.
In an official notice to property owners, LAWMA stated, “The rising trend of unauthorized waste sorting, dumping, and trading of recyclables in unlicensed locations violates the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. These activities will not be tolerated, and anyone engaging in illegal recycling or scavenging will face strict penalties and enforcement actions as prescribed by law.”
Gbadegesin further remarked, “We cannot stand by while a few individuals undermine efforts to create a cleaner and more livable environment for all. Property owners who allow unauthorized recycling or scavenging activities on their premises risk losing their property rights and facing legal consequences.”
He urged residents and stakeholders to utilize only licensed recycling facilities and registered waste collectors to ensure proper waste management practices throughout the city. “Our goal is to build a cleaner, more sustainable Lagos, but we need the full cooperation of every resident. We urge everyone to adhere to the state’s waste management regulations and help create a healthier environment for all,” he said.
As part of the enforcement effort, a joint team from LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Department and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps carried out an operation to dislodge squatters and illegal recyclers at the Ijora-Olopa underbridge, working to clean up the area.
