The Lagos State Government has shut down several shops along the Yaba-Tejuosho and Tejuosho-Ojuelegba corridors over repeated violations of environmental sanitation regulations and improper waste disposal.
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‎The enforcement exercise was conducted by the Waste Investigation, Surveillance and Enforcement (WISE) unit of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, OP MESA personnel and the Nigeria Police.
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‎The operation targeted businesses on Modele, Fagbile and Maja streets within the Tejuosho-Ojuelegba axis, as well as Kilani, Lisabi, Matthew, Pearce and Banjo streets in the Yaba-Tejuosho area.
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‎According to LAWMA, the action followed years of persistent sanitation offences despite continuous public awareness campaigns, several warnings and previous engagements with affected business owners.
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‎The agency disclosed that many of the sealed premises are occupied by fashion designers, tailors and clothing traders who generate significant amounts of fabric scraps and textile waste. Investigations allegedly revealed that instead of disposing of the waste through approved channels, many operators dumped it on road medians.
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‎LAWMA also accused several businesses of relying on illegal waste cart operators rather than registered Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, a practice it said has contributed to indiscriminate dumping and the build-up of refuse across the affected corridors.
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‎The authority further stated that many of the affected establishments had failed to engage their designated PSP operators for about five years, despite existing environmental regulations.
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‎It explained that repeated sensitisation efforts and compliance notices did not produce the desired results, making enforcement necessary to restore environmental cleanliness, safeguard public infrastructure and improve waste management practices.
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‎LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the operation was intended to ensure compliance with sanitation laws rather than punish business owners.
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‎He urged residents and commercial operators to use their assigned PSP operators, dispose of waste responsibly and maintain clean surroundings.
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‎Gbadegesin added that the sealed premises would remain closed until they met the required sanitation standards and fully complied with the state’s environmental regulations.
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‎(NAN)