LAWMA fires sweepers, supervisors in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has disengaged some street sweepers, their supervisors and the service provider responsible for their operations over alleged indiscriminate waste dumping in parts of the state.

The affected personnel were removed following investigations and surveillance by the Authority, which allegedly linked them to the dumping of waste on the median along the Oworonshoki-Berger axis, an area identified as a recurring waste hotspot.

LAWMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed the development in a statement shared on the Authority’s social media platforms on Saturday.

According to him, investigations revealed that the affected sweepers were involved in the act, with some of them reportedly admitting to the offence during questioning.

Gbadegesin said the decision to disengage the workers and the service provider was part of efforts to maintain accountability within the state’s waste management system.

“The sweepers, their supervisors and the service provider were disengaged from the cleaning operation to underscore the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that all personnel and service providers engaged in waste management in the State upheld the standards expected of them and did not contribute to the environmental challenges they were engaged to address,” he said.

The LAWMA boss warned that the Authority would continue investigations into recurring waste disposal locations across Lagos and take action against individuals or organisations found contributing to environmental problems.

“Our responsibility is to keep Lagos clean, and everyone involved in that responsibility must play their part. Where our investigations establish that anyone is contributing to the problem, appropriate action will be taken. There will be no exceptions,” Gbadegesin added.

Meanwhile, LAWMA enforcement officials have arrested two suspected illegal waste dumpers around the Berger-Oworonshoki axis.

One of the suspects, identified as Timileyin Ojo, a load carrier, was allegedly caught dumping waste on the road median with a wheelbarrow.

Another suspect, described as a cart pusher, was arrested for allegedly engaging in unauthorised waste collection in the area.

The suspects were taken to the Oshodi Task Force Office (Mobile Court) for further investigation and possible prosecution under Lagos State environmental laws.

LAWMA urged residents, businesses and waste collectors to dispose of waste through approved channels and patronise only authorised Private Sector Participants (PSPs).