The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued a stern warning to residents against the rising trend of assaults on its personnel, vowing that any form of violence will be met with the full weight of the law.
The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, raised the alarm on Friday, describing the increasing incidents of threats and physical attacks on enforcement officers as a direct affront to public order. He emphasized that these officers are deployed specifically to protect public health and ensure the city remains clean.
“The enforcement officers were deployed to protect public health, ensure compliance with waste management regulations and keep Lagos clean,” Gbadegesin stated. “Any form of violence or intimidation against them would be met with the full weight of the law.”
The Authority expressed deep concern over the attacks, describing them as unacceptable interference with environmental governance. Dr. Gbadegesin noted that LAWMA’s enforcement activities are backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, adding that individuals or groups found attacking officers or disrupting lawful operations would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Rather than resorting to confrontation or self-help, the LAWMA boss urged residents to cooperate with officials, comply with waste disposal guidelines, and report environmental infractions through appropriate channels. He called on community leaders, market associations, and transport unions to support efforts aimed at promoting order and safety across the state.
Reaffirming the agency’s dedication to urban sanitation, Dr. Gbadegesin concluded: “LAWMA remains resolute in its mandate to deliver a cleaner, healthier, and more liveable city for all residents.”
