LAWMA Sacks Sweepers, Supervisors Over Illegal Waste Dumping in Lagos
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has disengaged several street sweepers, their supervisors and the service provider overseeing their operations after investigations linked them to illegal waste dumping along the Oworonshoki-Berger corridor.
The agency said the action followed surveillance and intelligence gathering which uncovered the involvement of some sanitation workers in creating the same refuse blackspots they were employed to eliminate.
Speaking on Saturday, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said some of the sweepers admitted to indiscriminately dumping refuse on the road median during questioning.
He said the disciplinary action was intended to reinforce accountability within the state’s waste management system.
“The sweepers, their supervisors and the service provider were disengaged from the cleaning operation to underscore the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that all personnel and service providers engaged in waste management in the State uphold the standards expected of them and do not contribute to the environmental challenges they are engaged to address,” he said.
Gbadegesin warned that LAWMA would sustain investigations into persistent blackspots across Lagos and sanction anyone found responsible, irrespective of their status.
“Our responsibility is to keep Lagos clean, and everyone involved in that responsibility must play their part. Where our investigations establish that anyone is contributing to the problem, appropriate action will be taken. There will be no exceptions,” he added.
As part of ongoing enforcement efforts, LAWMA officials also arrested two suspected illegal waste dumpers around the Berger-Oworonshoki axis.
The suspects include Timileyin Ojo, who was allegedly caught dumping refuse on a road median with a wheelbarrow, and another individual accused of operating as an unauthorised waste collector using a pushcart.
Both suspects have been handed over to the Oshodi Task Force Mobile Court for investigation and possible prosecution under Lagos State environmental laws.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
