Alimosho LG sets to deploy Marshal to arrest environmental offenders

Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State has set to deploy Environmental Marshal to curb lingering indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the communities.

Mr Johnson Akinpelu, the Executive Chairman of the Council disclosed the new development while meeting with the Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators the Companies in charge of waste collectors in the state.

The meeting was focused on finding practical solutions to curb the growing challenge of illegal dumping of refuse in public places within the local government area.

The chairman in his remarks assured the operators of the Local Government readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to address the abnormality within the council area.

He said that plans were underway to engage the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and other relevant state agencies to ensure that Alimosho received priority access to dumping sites for timely waste disposal.

Akinpelu also added that he would intensify enforcement against illegal dumping of refuse saying that environmental offenders would now be prosecuted as the council already has a functioning court within its premises.

“Also, environmental marshals will soon be deployed to monitor and enforce sanitation regulations across the local government and anybody caught will be prosecuted accordingly.

“We assure the PSP operators that our administration remains committed to supporting their operations, including efforts to improve infrastructure and create a more effective waste management system for the benefit of all residents of Alimosho.

The chairman said he was determined to sanitise Alimosho and promote a cleaner environment for all, saying that dirty environment poses serious public health risks, including outbreaks of cholera and other communicable diseases.

“We convene this strategic meeting with PSP operators in Alimosho in our determined effort to sanitise the community and promote a cleaner environment,” he said.

The council chairman added that the meeting focused on finding practical solutions to curb the growing challenge of illegal dumping of refuse in public places within the local government area.

“This development also bring together representatives of PSP operators, landlords, members of Community Development Associations (CDAs), and the management of the local government.

“Our concern is based on numerous complaints from residents about the irregular collection of waste by some PSP operators, as many communities have experienced lapses in service delivery compared to previous years,” Akinpelu said.

Mr Dare Ogunkoya, one of the representatives of a PSP Operator, said in his address that the delay in waste collections were compounded by many factors.

According to him, many households have failed to pay their waste management bills for years, with some properties reportedly owing between two to six years.

“We also face operational challenges, particularly the closure of the nearby dump sites which now forces operators to travel as far as Badagry to dispose of waste.

“The operators’ long distance to dump sites significantly affects turnaround time, making waste collection more difficult,” he said.

Ogunkoya noted that there was a need for stronger enforcement measures to compel residents to meet their payment obligations.

The PSP Operator also added that the poor road conditions in some parts of the local government were identified as another major challenge affecting their operations.