Issues compliance notices in Ojuelegba

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has intensified its environmental enforcement campaign across the state, sealing several markets, shopping complexes and commercial premises in the Ikotun-Igando axis over persistent sanitation violations.

It has also issued fresh notices of intention to seal defaulting businesses along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor.

The enforcement exercise, carried out on Saturday by LAWMA’s Project WISE West team, targeted commercial premises along the LASU-Igando Road corridor in Alimosho Local Council.

According to the agency, the action followed repeated cases of indiscriminate refuse dumping on road medians despite earlier warning notices, sustained environmental sensitisation campaigns and notices of intention to seal the affected premises.

Speaking on the exercise, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the operation was a continuation of the authority’s environmental compliance drive, following the noticeable improvement recorded along the Yaba-Ojuelegba corridor after similar enforcement activities conducted earlier in the week.

He noted that the intervention had restored environmental order and improved sanitation within the affected areas, prompting the authority to extend the exercise to other identified locations across the state.

Gbadegesin disclosed that LAWMA had also commenced the issuance of notices of intention to seal markets, shops and plazas along the Ojuelegba-Lawanson-Itire corridor as part of measures aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental sanitation regulations.

During Saturday’s operation, the authority sealed Owode Market, Omo Oba Shopping Complex, Oja Oba Market, Irewolede Market, Egan Junction Market, BoA Shopping Complex, Blissful Electronics Stores, alongside several other shops and commercial premises found to be in breach of environmental sanitation laws.

He stated that the affected markets, shopping complexes and commercial establishments would remain sealed until all stipulated environmental compliance requirements were met and the authority was satisfied that adequate corrective measures had been implemented.

The LAWMA boss warned that indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations remained a violation of Lagos State environmental laws and would continue to attract appropriate sanctions.

He urged traders, market associations, property owners and business operators to maintain proper sanitation around their premises, patronise only their assigned Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators and refrain from illegal waste disposal.

Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to combining sustained public enlightenment with strict enforcement to encourage responsible environmental practices, safeguard public infrastructure and promote a cleaner, healthier and more liveable Lagos.