The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents, emphasising that anyone caught engaging in indiscriminate waste disposal will face a fine of up to N250,000 or a three-month jail term as part of stricter enforcement of environmental laws in the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
He noted that the state would no longer tolerate actions that degrade the environment, such as illegal refuse dumping, open defecation, or obstructing public drainage channels with construction materials.
He lamented the increasing cases of residents dumping waste in drains, road medians, and public spaces, describing it as a direct contributor to flash floods, environmental degradation, and health hazards.
The commissioner added that enforcement teams are now fully mobilised to monitor and prosecute violators.
In a move to tackle urban sanitation challenges, Wahab also warned squatters on pedestrian bridges to vacate immediately.
According to him, these individuals are often involved in open defecation and criminal activities, rendering the bridges unusable and unsafe for law-abiding citizens.
The commissioner further noted that over 3,000 environmental offenders had already been arrested and prosecuted, stressing that enforcement will now be more aggressive and sustained.
Construction firms and private developers were also placed on notice, with Wahab warning that dumping building materials on roads or in drains is illegal. Offending structures will be sealed, and responsible parties prosecuted.
“The government had arrested over 3,000 environmental offenders and prosecuted them. However, we won’t drop the ball; we will continue to ramp up our enforcement and sensitisation.
“I want us all to know that we cannot achieve the results of behavioural change overnight, but it has to be over time,” he said.
In tackling sanitation issues more broadly, the government reaffirmed its total ban on open defecation and urination, highlighting the establishment of 1,710 public toilet facilities across the state, as well as mandates requiring eateries and gas stations to make restrooms publicly accessible.
On street trading, the Commissioner reiterated that the ban on trading along roads, medians, and pedestrian walkways remains in force, urging traders to restrict their activities to approved market spaces.
Wahab called on all residents and business owners to engage only registered PSP waste operators for refuse collection, warning against the use of cart pushers, who remain banned due to their role in indiscriminate waste dumping.
With World Environment Day around the corner (June 5), Wahab also used the occasion to reaffirm the state’s commitment to ending plastic waste.
He announced that enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics will commence on July 1, following an 18-month moratorium granted to producers and distributors. This follows the earlier ban on Styrofoam food packs.
“As a state, we are committed to ending the scourge of plastic waste in our state. There Is No Going Back On The July 1 Deadline For The Commencement Of Enforcement Of The Ban On Single-Use Plastics After An 18-Month Moratorium To Producers, Distributors And Users.
“We Are Also Stepping Up Our Advocacy For The Citizenry To Be Well Aware Of The Ban, Which Is A Follow-Up To That Of Styrofoam Food Packs,” he said.
As the state prepares for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the commissioner appealed to residents to prioritise cleanliness.
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