The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified efforts to improve sanitation and promote recycling in Lagos, sealing more than 25 buildings in Okota over environmental infractions while distributing 172 recycling bins to households in Osborne Estate, Ikoyi.

The two initiatives form part of the authority’s efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal, encourage waste separation at source and reduce the volume of refuse sent to disposal sites.

In Okota, LAWMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, led an enforcement operation on Sunday to clear accumulated waste along Ago Palace Way, where illegal dumping on road medians and around bridge abutments had become a recurring problem.

The exercise involved the deployment of compactor trucks, a payloader, tipper trucks and street sweepers to evacuate the waste and restore environmental order along the affected corridor.

More than 25 buildings, including a Mobil filling station, were sealed for various environmental and regulatory violations, including the erection of illegal stalls on road setbacks and harbouring street traders whose activities contributed to littering and indiscriminate waste disposal.

The authority’s advocacy team also sensitised residents and other members of the public on proper waste disposal, urging them to use approved channels rather than dump refuse on roads and medians.

Gbadegesin warned that LAWMA would enforce regulations against illegal street trading and those who patronised traders operating in prohibited locations, noting that such activities obstruct movement, undermine public order and contribute to environmental degradation.

The operation also led to the arrest of some cart pushers allegedly involved in illegal waste disposal. One of them, identified as Shamusi Muritala, said he was from Katsina State and admitted dumping refuse on road medians, pleading for leniency.

During questioning, Muritala reportedly disclosed that he charged customers up to N5,000 to dispose of their waste on the median, highlighting the commercial activities sustaining the illegal practice.

Operatives of the Lagos State  Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Task force, and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) team supported the enforcement exercise.

While the Okota operation focused on enforcement and the removal of accumulated refuse, LAWMA’s intervention in Osborne Estate, Ikoyi, sought to promote responsible waste management through household recycling.

Under the authority’s Waste-Free Lagos Pilot Scheme and recycling buy-back initiative, 172 recycling bins have been distributed to households in the estate, with residents also participating in the collection of recyclable materials.

Gbadegesin said recyclable materials had been collected from 64 bins distributed during the previous week, while an additional 108 bins were supplied to households, bringing the total to 172.

The exercise included door-to-door sensitisation, during which LAWMA officials engaged household waste handlers on the purpose of the initiative and the proper use of the bins.

The managing director said effective recycling began at the household level, stressing that separating recyclable materials from other waste would improve resource recovery and reduce the volume of refuse requiring final disposal.

He urged residents to sort their household waste and place recyclable materials in the designated bins, encouraging them to participate in the buy-back scheme.

The Waste-Free Lagos Pilot Scheme is part of LAWMA’s broader strategy to promote a circular economy, increase public participation in recycling and reduce pressure on waste disposal facilities.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to sustained waste evacuation, stricter enforcement and public education, stressing that effective sanitation requires both regulatory compliance and active participation by residents.