The governor of Lagos State has read the riot act to all state residents who blatantly violate environmental laws and claim that they will be subject to the law’s full force from the start.  ,  ,
Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources for Lagos State, made this statement at an Ikeja press conference in Alausa.
According to the provisions of the Lagos Sanitation Environmental Law, anyone found dumping refuse illegally or littering the environment will face a stiff fine of up to N250, 000, or three months in prison, he added. Repeat offenders may also face even more severe punishment.
The Commissioner cautioned those who regularly dump solid waste in driveways, medians, or other road setbacks to stop, stressing that unfavorable deeds cause flash flooding, threaten public health, and deface the city.
Additionally, Mr. Wahab cautioned squatters on the state’s pedestrian bridges to leave because they regularly engage in open defecation and criminal activity there, which discourages pedestrians from using the bridges and puts their lives at risk, saying defaulters face being arrested.
Read more about Lagos’ demolished buildings on the way to disaster: the government of Lagos.
Over 3, 000 environmental offenders have been arrested and prosecuted by the government. We won’t let up, we will continue to increase our enforcement and sensibilization, he said, and we must all be aware that behavioral change must take place over time.
He emphasized that urination and open defecation are completely prohibited. More than 1,710 public toilets have been provided by the government and private organizations, he claims, and more are being made available in state eateries and gas stations for those who are compelled to use them.
Mr. Wahab reaffirmed that all forms of street trading are still prohibited and that no type of trading is permitted on pedestrian-friendly streets and medians. He urged traders to limit trading to specific market/stall space restrictions.
He urged all local governments, including those in homes, to only use approved and assigned PSP operators, not those who generate waste, as well as those who take on responsibility for its proper disposal. He claimed that timely payment of waste bills supports the system and ensures consistent service.
“If a PSP operator fails to collect your waste, report immediately to LAWMA through the following LAWMA helpline channels: 080000Lawma (08000052962), 07080601020”, he said.
He claimed that there is a new commitment to detain, prosecute, name, and shame all convicted offenders and that surveillance and enforcement personnel from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, KAI, and LAWMA’s surveillance teams are fully operational across states.
Residents should refrain from patronizing them and always patronize registered PSPs because the ban on cart pushers has not been lifted because they dump waste indiscriminately across the , state.
He also mentioned World Environment Day, which will be observed on June 5 with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” and that it is an opportunity to honor and promote the environment.
According to him, “We as a state are determined to eradicate the problem of plastic waste in our state.” The July 1 Deadline for the beginning of the single-use plastics ban has no place in history.
“After a 18-month suspension for producers, distributors, and users. He added that we are stepping up our advocacy for the citizenry to be aware of the ban, which follows that of styrofoam food packs.
Source: Channels TV
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