Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has secured jail terms of two months for three persons for various environmental offences in the state.
The agency said it has collaborated with the police to put a stop to incessant attacks on LAWMA’s personnel, while ensuring the prompt arrest of cart pushers and those who patronise them.
The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, who made the disclosure at Ijora-Olopa, noted that the working arrangement with the police was aimed at sustaining renewed offensive on all forms of environmental infractions and unwarranted attacks on the agency’s personnel.
He said, “Last week, we got jail terms for three environmental offenders, with a pending sentence for another person who patronised a cart pusher, making it an offence for anyone to patronise a cart pusher.
“Before now, we had warned unrepentant environmental violators about our renewed offensive, urging them to shun bad practices. But some people will never change. For three such persons, we secured jail sentences of a minimum of two months while one is still pending.
“I am also happy about LAWMA’s collaboration with the Nigeria Police to end needless attacks on our personnel on day or night duty. That collaboration is also to put an end to cart pushing, as any cart pusher found anywhere in Lagos, will be promptly arrested and prosecuted, while those who patronise them will not be spared,” he stressed.
Speaking further, he said another set of 600 carts have been destroyed, bringing the total to about 3,000, in the last ten weeks.
He warned residents against patronising cart pushers, as both the cart pusher and the patron were liable, and would be accordingly prosecuted.
The LAWMA boss said the agency has demolished carts impounded by its enforcement team in the course of their duty.
