Ogun State Waste Management Authority, OGWAMA, yesterday, arrested 128 residents and sanctioned 20 industries for indiscriminately dumping waste across the state in an effort to prevent flooding and enforce environmental laws.

The Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Hon. Abayomi Hunye made this announcement in a statement in Abeokuta .

Residents were arrested and companies’ trucks were intercepted by OGWAMA’s enforcement squad early on Tuesday for improper waste disposal.

Those caught disposing waste in Sango-Ota, Papa-lanto and Abeokuta were sentenced to community service, while
industries caught disposing waste on road verges along Lagos-Ibadan and Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway were sanctioned.

Hunye expressed concern that those apprehended were deliberately sabotaging the state government’s efforts to keep the state clean by not patronising government-approved waste collectors.

He emphasised that their actions endangered the health and safety of law-abiding residents who follow proper waste disposal practices.

Hunye assured that the enforcement team will continue monitoring roadside and public areas to apprehend and sanction offenders.

The administration, he said , will not tolerate indiscriminate waste disposal, especially during the rainy season to prevent flooding.

Hunye praised residents and Industries that properly manage and dispose of waste, mentioning the upcoming “Blue Box Initiative” where residents can exchange plastic, paper, and iron waste for revenue.