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LAGOS, Nigeria - A 45-year-old man named Imeh Bassey is scheduled to go to trial after being apprehended for unlawfully disposing of waste on the median strip of Ikorodu Road, close to the Ketu bus stop in Lagos State on Tuesday morning.
The spokesperson for the state Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adesina, provided this information in a statement made on Tuesday.
As reported by Adesina, officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) monitoring team caught Bassey at approximately 4:00 am on Tuesday while he was dumping waste on the busy road.
The statement from Adesina pointed out that dumping refuse on the roadside or median is illegal and contravenes environmental regulations established by Lagos State to maintain cleanliness and safety in the city.
An inquiry conducted by the agency traced the origin of the waste back to the banana area of the Ketu fruits market.
The statement noted, “ Imeh Bassey, 45, was arrested at 0400hrs on Tuesday by the LAWMA monitoring squad on the median of Ikorodu Road near the Ketu bus stop for discharging waste onto the roadway.
A thorough investigation following his arrest traced the source of the waste to the banana section of Ketu fruit market.”
Bassey claimed he was paid N500 by an individual associated with the market's national union to dispose of the waste, although he could not name the person.
“We have implemented surveillance and enforcement operations throughout Lagos to combat illegal dumping.
Individuals found guilty will face prosecution to discourage others from similar actions,” stated a LAWMA official whose identity was not disclosed, but who was part of the team that apprehended Bassey.
Bassey will soon be prosecuted in court as the agency continues to impose strict penalties for environmental infractions.
