The Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr. Lateef Ashimi, has launched a tough campaign against indiscriminate waste disposal, warning that the council will no longer tolerate the illegal dumping of refuse into drains and waterways.
Ashimi handed down the warning on Monday while leading an extensive inspection of canals, roads and other public infrastructure across the council following Sunday’s heavy rainfall, which heightened fears of flooding and environmental degradation in several communities.
During the exercise, the chairman and his team inspected major drainage channels linking residential neighbourhoods, schools and other critical public facilities, identifying locations where blocked waterways and poor sanitation posed serious risks.
He directed the council’s Supervisor for Environment and the Environmental Department to immediately intensify enforcement of environmental sanitation laws, stressing that residents found violating waste management regulations would be sanctioned.
The chairman also inspected ongoing road rehabilitation projects and flood-prone areas impacted by the recent downpour, assuring residents that the council would move swiftly to lessen the effects of flooding on lives and property.
“I assure you to urgently engage the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources,” he said.
Ashimi explained that collaboration with the ministry had become necessary to prevent worsening wastewater blockages as the rainy season intensified, describing the intervention as part of broader efforts to strengthen flood control measures and safeguard residents.
The inspection team, comprising council executives and councillors, also toured the Akoka-Igbari canal corridor stretching towards the Yaba axis to evaluate the condition of the drainage network and identify areas requiring immediate intervention.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has also renewed its appeal to residents to embrace responsible waste disposal practices, warning that improper refuse management endangers public health and the environment, especially during the festive season.
LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, cautioned that anyone caught violating environmental laws would face prosecution, noting that offenders risk fines or imprisonment under existing regulations. He added that the agency had already put measures in place to cope with the anticipated increase in waste generation during the Sallah celebrations.
