By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has warned residents against patronising traders operating illegally on roads, medians, setbacks, walkways and other unauthorised public spaces, saying offenders risk arrest and prosecution.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave the warning on Tuesday at the authority’s headquarters in Lagos, saying enforcement would commence next week.
He said the measure was part of a renewed enforcement strategy aimed at curbing illegal trading, indiscriminate waste disposal and obstruction of public infrastructure across Lagos State.
According to Gbadegesin, enforcement would no longer be limited to illegal traders, as residents who patronise such traders could also be held liable under Section 151(2) of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.
“The law does not only prohibit illegal street trading. It also makes it an offence to buy goods exposed or offered for sale in prohibited places.
“From next week, anyone found buying from traders operating on roadsides, medians, walkways, setbacks or other unauthorised spaces will be arrested, alongside the traders, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
Gbadegesin said anyone convicted of the offence could face a fine of N90,000, imprisonment for six months, or both.
He explained that illegal roadside and median trading often generated waste that was dumped in drains, on roads and other public spaces, thereby obstructing drainage channels, worsening traffic conditions and creating public health risks.
“Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations.
“Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law,” he said.
Gbadegesin said the authority was also strengthening waste collection in inner streets and communities around previously cleared dumping hotspots.
He said identified service gaps would be addressed, while deliberate dumping, re-dumping and patronage of illegal markets would attract enforcement.
He urged residents and businesses to patronise recognised markets and use approved waste collection channels, stressing that personal convenience should not come at the expense of public health, environmental sanitation, road safety and the orderly use of shared spaces.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to sustained enforcement, stakeholder engagement and improved waste collection services as part of efforts to eliminate open dumping and achieve a cleaner Lagos.
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