Environment
Concerns As Lagos Council Enforces Open Burning Of Refuse
Residents of Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) have raised an alarm over constant harassment by council officials on alleged open burning of refuse.
Their worry is that the right to enforce environmental laws rests on the state’s Ministry of Environment and agencies, not councils, which use such incidents to extort money from them.
Some officials of the council were recently seen enforcing law against open burning of refuse through issuance of notices to residents in the Isheri area and asking defaulters to pay certain fines, ranging from N40, 000 to N65, 000.
In the notice sighted by The Guardian, it emphasised the effect and impact of open burning on the environment and health hazards it poses. Speaking on the development, one of the Environmental Officers in the council, who pleaded anonymity, reiterated the council’s support for clean air in communities, adding that the state government also maintains a zero-tolerance to refuse burning, which has been declared as unlawful.
The official said: “According to Section 14 (A and B) of the Lagos State’s environmental sanitation law, no person shall burn or cause to be burnt, waste of any description on a tenement, or dump waste at any place other than a waste disposal site. Any violation of this law is liable to terms of imprisonment or fine or both, violators caught in the act will face severe penalties, including N50, 000 fine.
“We are operating with the legal department under the environmental department in the council. Furthermore, the department issues notices and prosecutes violators. This prohibition on refuse burning is not a recent development. The state government officially enacted this law back in 2010, making the announcement widely known through various media channels.”
However, another source at the council told The Guardian that the so-called officers from the council enforcing the environmental law are carrying out illegal duties. The source alleged that some of the officers were sent out by politicians to extort money from unsuspecting residents under the guise of enforcing law against open burning of refuse.
But reacting, Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mrs. Bola Ajao, emphasised that any issue pertaining to the environment, including enforcement and burning of refuse falls under its agency.She stated that local councils do not have the authority to enforce environmental laws or address environmental offences.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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