LAWMA to arrest Lagos residents patronising illegal roadside traders

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced that starting next week, residents who patronize illegal roadside traders will be arrested and prosecuted alongside the traders themselves. Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, made this announcement during a meeting at the authority’s headquarters.

The new enforcement strategy aims to curb illegal trading, indiscriminate waste disposal, and obstruction of public infrastructure across Lagos State. Gbadegesin clarified that the law prohibits not only illegal street trading but also purchasing goods from traders operating on prohibited public spaces. Anyone convicted of this offense could face a fine of N90,000, a six-month prison sentence, or both.

Illegal roadside and median markets often contribute to blocked drains, traffic congestion, and increased public health risks due to the improper disposal of waste. LAWMA plans to strengthen waste collection in inner streets and communities around previously cleared dumping hotspots, targeting service gaps and enforcing the prohibition on patronizing illegal markets.

The authority urges residents and businesses to patronize recognized markets and use approved waste collection channels, emphasizing that personal convenience should not compromise public health, environmental sanitation, road safety, and the orderly use of public spaces.