By Barbara Nwaiwu (Intern)
The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has arrested and prosecuted 108 residents for illegal waste dumping in Abeokuta, the state capital, as part of efforts to enforce environmental sanitation laws and improve waste management.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Farook Akintunde, said the offenders were caught dumping refuse on roadsides, medians, and other public areas, and were subsequently fined by customary courts to deter similar violations.
“It is unfortunate that some residents still engage in indiscriminate dumping despite awareness campaigns.
We have encouraged them to hand over their waste to the Private Sector Participants (PSP) assigned to their areas, but to no avail,” he said.
Akintunde warned that improper waste disposal poses serious environmental and health risks, especially during the rainy season when blocked drains can cause flooding.
He stressed that the government is committed to a cleaner, healthier state through improved waste collection, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and to ensure that approved waste collection systems are used consistently.
“Our goal is to create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone, and compliance is not optional,” he said.
NatureNews reports that the enforcement drive is part of broader efforts to promote environmental responsibility, improve compliance with waste management laws, and strengthen proper waste collection services across communities in Ogun State.
Officials confirmed that monitoring and enforcement activities will continue across several parts of the state, urging residents to comply with waste disposal regulations or risk prosecution.
