A Lagos mobile court, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, has sentenced a woman, Rukayat Oderinde of number 17, Hassan Ogunmola Street, Ahamadiyya, Lagos, to 144 hours of community service, for violating waste management regulations.
The environmental offender is expected to commence her eight-hours per day community service from Ahmadiyya to Salolo route, for the next 18 days, cleaning the environment.
Oderinde was apprehended by Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) enforcement team for illegally emptying her waste bin into a drainage channel.
She was caught red-handed on camera while she was disposing her household waste directly into the drainage channel, an act strictly prohibited under existing waste management regulations in the state, as they posed serious threats to the overall cleanliness and functionality of the drainage system.
Reacting to the development, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, said improper waste disposal, particularly through drainage channels, could lead to clogged drains.
According to him, the act causes flooding during heavy rains, adding that this not only disrupts daily life but also jeopardises the safety and health of the community.
He said: “Blockages in drainage channels can result in stagnant water becoming breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes and other harmful pests.
“I commend the LAWMA enforcement team who wasted no time in apprehending the woman. This emphasises our commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all residents.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder to residents that improper waste disposal will not be tolerated and will be met with strict enforcement.”
Odumboni reminded residents about the need to engage proper methods of waste disposal and the potential consequences of non-compliance, urging them to use designated waste bins and containers for their household waste.
He implored the populace to patronise assigned Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators whose duty is to ensure seamless disposal of waste generated by tenements, adding that residents should call LAWMA toll-free numbers 07080601020 and 617, for any environmental infractions observed in their area.
