Lagos State has announced new rules to tackle littering and improper waste disposal, with a three-month jail term awaiting residents for improper waste disposal.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared this information in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, June 4.
Wahab emphasized that Lagos will no longer tolerate actions that harm the environment.
He stated that starting July 1, the city will strictly enforce a ban on single-use plastics, adding that those caught dumping trash in the wrong places or littering could be fined up to ₦250,000, or they may serve time in jail.
“During the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources media briefing yesterday, we made it clear that Lagos will no longer tolerate deliberate environmental abuse.
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“From July 1, full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics. Offenders who dump refuse illegally, litter the streets, or deface our environment will face stiff penalties, up to ₦250,000 fine or 3 months in jail,” he wrote.
So far, the state government has arrested over 3,000 people for these offenses and has warned that anyone caught littering or improperly disposing of waste will face consequences as outlined in the state’s sanitation laws.
He also reminded residents that rules against public defecation and illegal street trading are still in effect.
Wahab encouraged residents of the state to embrace cleanliness as they celebrate the upcoming Sallah festival, highlighting the importance of proper waste management in the city.
“Please bag your trash, don’t throw it in drains or on the streets, and make sure to give your waste to your designated garbage collector,” Wahab advised.