The Lagos State Government has warned residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, saying that perpetrators risk facing the full wrath of the law, including engaging communal service as a form of deterrence.
This warning was issued by the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi –Etti during a press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center in Alausa on Tuesday to parade four cart pushers caught dumping illegally in Agege.
Durosinmi Etti said that Abubarka Lawal, Bashir Umar, Yusuf Saheed and Muhammodu Amisu Abdulahi were apprehended at the Moshashi Alhaja Area of Agege with the collaboration of market leaders who worked with the Enforcement Department of the Ministry to ensure the culprit were caught.
“Worried by the incessant resurfacing of refuse at black spots in their market, the market leaders decided to maintain vigilance which led to the apprehension of four people after midnight on Tuesday” he said.
The Commissioner reassured that the new solid waste management system was well thought out and positioned to offer an enduring solution to the waste management challenge thrown up by population increase and facility deficit that the State has had to encounter overtime.
“I wish to reiterate that every transition period has its challenge. What we are witnessing presently is temporary and would soon disappear when the domestic waste operators commence full operations” he said.
Durosinmi-Etti emphasised that the State Government had repeatedly warned against any abuse of its environmental laws and all acts capable of compounding the challenge experienced in transiting to the new waste management system.
He urged residents to always bag and dispose their waste appropriately by making use of waste bins placed in strategic locations all over the State.
He said the four people apprehended would be made to cart away refuse as a form of communal service to deter others.
Durosinmi-Etti thereafter commended market leaders in Agege for their vigilance and called upon all Lagosians to emulate them by being vanguard of their environment, adding that it was in the interest of all to be their environment keeper.
