Lagos Residents Risk 3-Month Jail Term Or N250K Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal

The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to strictly enforce penalties for illegal refuse dumping and littering, warning that offenders could face up to three months in jail or a fine of N250,000.

The announcement was made by the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a post shared on his X handle on Wednesday, June 4.

“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.

“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.

Wahab stated that the government has already arrested over 3,000 offenders, warning that anyone caught dumping refuse illegally or littering will face penalties in accordance with the state’s sanitation and environmental laws.

He also reaffirmed that the ban on cart pushers and public defecation remains in effect, adding that “illegal street trading would not be tolerated.”

The Commissioner urged Lagos residents to observe the upcoming Sallah celebrations with cleanliness and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal for a healthier environment in the state.

“Bag your waste, don’t dump in drains or medians, and hand over refuse to your assigned PSP operator,” Wahab said