LAWMA closes Ladipo and Oyingbo markets – Official

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) announces that it will close Ladipo and Oyingbo markets until further notice due to careless dumping of waste, refusal to pay waste management services waste and general poor waste management.

Ibrahim Odumboni, Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, said in a statement Thursday in Lagos that the markets would be closed by September 22.

Mr. Odumboni said the unsound environmental practices of traders in the markets, despite repeated warnings, called for necessary and immediate sanctions.

"Our attention has been drawn to the deplorable state of the environment around Ladipo Market, Mushin Market and Oyingbo Market, resulting from the careless dumping of rubbish by traders.

“Although they sent them clean-up notices, they continued their indiscriminate violation of the environment.

"We have no choice but to mention the necessary sanction of closing the markets.

“This is also intended to deter other nonchalant markets,” Mr. Odumboni said.

He said that the authority has recently increased its efforts to ensure that business activities in all markets in Lagos take place in a clean and safe environment for the benefit of all.

"We have stepped up our sanitation efforts by deploying trucks to clean up black spots in the metropolis, especially commercial facilities.

“However, these efforts are tainted by the activities of mischievous people who would rather dump their waste indiscriminately on the roads than pay for waste management services,” Mr Odumboni said.

He urged traders in other markets to strictly observe environmental hygiene or risk the indefinite closure of their markets.

Meanwhile, LAWMA said a circuit court sitting in Oshodi had convicted two environmental offenders of burning rubbish and dumping rubbish down drains during rains.

The Authority said the two offenders were apprehended on the Ikeja and Lekki axis respectively.

He said the first offender was sentenced on two counts, one year imprisonment or a fine of ₦50,000 and one month imprisonment, without the possibility of a fine.

The second offender has been remanded to a correctional facility, pending bail conditions, according to LAWMA

The boss of LAWMA reiterated the Authority's determination to eradicate all forms of inconsiderate waste disposal in the metropolis.

He said the law enforcement team had been mandated to monitor the environment and arrest those determined to derail the Authority's efforts to make Lagos cleaner and livable.

Mr. Odumboni called on residents to get into the habit of efficient waste management by bagging their waste, for easy disposal by designated Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators.

He said the delay in evacuation by PSPs should be reported to the Authority using his toll-free lines, as apologies, once made, would not be considered.

"For waste management issues in your area, please call the LAWMA freephone numbers: 07080601020 and 617," reads part of the statement.

(NAN)

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