- By Sherifdeen Amusa
The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lukmon Agbaje, has announced that indiscriminate disposal of refuse on roads and medians within the council now attract N100,000 fine or one month community service.
Agbaje said this at the “Stakeholders’ Forum and Inauguration of Task Force on Indiscriminate Dumping of Refuse in Black Spots and Road Medians,” held at the Council Secretariat.
“This initiative marks yet another bold step in our administration’s commitment to creating a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the people of Ayobo-Ipaja. We recognise that cleanliness is not just a responsibility but a collective duty that speaks to the quality of life and dignity of every resident,” he said.
He said that the Task force which will work with community-based associations to enforce compliance, operate with transparency and without fear or favour.
He said: “This Task force is not established to harass or intimidate our people. Rather, it is to enforce compliance with laid-down rules, protect the environment, and safeguard public health. At the same time, it will work hand-in-hand with community leaders, youth groups, and residents’ associations to intensify sensitisation on proper waste disposal methods. It shall operate with transparency, and expected to uphold integrity, avoid corruption, and discharge their duties without fear or favour.”
He urged residents to support his administration’s effort in having a cleaner environment, adding that the responsibility lies on the shoulders of all stakeholders not the government alone.
The Environmental Health Officer, Mrs Racheal Babajide, bemoaned the menace of accumulated refuse littered around roads.
She urged those present at the occasion to tell others of the new laws.
Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Ayobo-Ipaja, Joseph Olokede, while commending the initiative, lamented the unwillingness of residents to adhere to proper disposal of waste in the council.
He said proper disposal of waste will prevent communicable diseases in the council.
He pleaded with the PSP operators to ensure timely collection of waste to avoid a situation where people would claim that their inefficiency led them to engaging in indiscriminate refuse disposal.