The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its environmental enforcement drive, sealing several markets, shopping complexes and commercial premises along the Ikotun-Igando axis over environmental sanitation violations.
The enforcement exercise, carried out on Saturday by LAWMA’s Project WISE West team, also saw the Authority issue fresh notices of intention to seal markets, shops and plazas along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor as part of efforts to improve compliance with the state’s environmental laws.
According to LAWMA, the operation targeted commercial premises along the LASU-Igando Road corridor in Alimosho Local Government Area following persistent indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians despite repeated warnings, default notices and sustained public sensitisation.
Speaking on the exercise, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the operation followed the improved environmental compliance recorded along the Yaba-Ojuelegba corridor after similar enforcement actions earlier in the week.
He noted that the success of the earlier intervention encouraged the Authority to expand the exercise to other identified locations across the state while commencing the issuance of notices of intention to seal defaulting markets, shops and plazas along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor.
During Saturday’s operation, LAWMA sealed Owode Market, Omo Oba Shopping Complex, Oja Oba Market, Irewolede Market, Egan Junction Market, BoA Shopping Complex, Blissful Electronics Stores, alongside several other defaulting commercial premises.
Gbadegesin said the affected facilities would remain sealed until they fully complied with all environmental requirements and implemented the necessary corrective measures.
He reiterated that indiscriminate disposal of waste on road medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations violates Lagos environmental laws and would continue to attract sanctions.
The LAWMA boss urged traders, market associations, property owners and business operators to maintain proper sanitation around their premises, patronise their assigned Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators and avoid illegal waste disposal.
He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to combining continuous public enlightenment with strict enforcement to promote responsible waste management and ensure a cleaner, healthier and more liveable Lagos.