The decision by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to seal shops along the Tejuosho-Ojuelegba corridor over indiscriminate refuse disposal is understandable. Traders and residents who dump waste on road medians, drainage channels and other public places deserve to face the consequences of their actions. Such practices degrade the environment, block drainage systems, contribute to flooding and expose residents to serious health risks.

However, enforcement alone will not solve Lagos’ mounting waste management crisis.

The reality across many parts of Lagos is that heaps of refuse have become a common sight along major roads and within neighbourhoods. In several communities, residents seem willing to dispose of their waste properly because their assigned Private Sector Participant (PSP) operators fail to collect refuse regularly. Some households pay for waste collection yet wait weeks before their bins are emptied. Faced with overflowing waste, some residents appear to have resorted to dumping refuse on road verges, vacant plots or into drainage channels. While such behaviour cannot be justified, it reflects a system that is failing many law-abiding citizens.

A city of more than 20 million people cannot depend on enforcement without ensuring that the waste collection system functions efficiently. If PSP operators fail to discharge their responsibilities, the government must hold them accountable with the same determination it displays in prosecuting environmental offenders.

Lagos State should undertake an immediate audit of the performance of all PSP operators. Companies that consistently fail to meet collection schedules should face sanctions, while those that perform efficiently should be rewarded. The state should also review whether the existing number of operators is adequate for the growing population. Where necessary, more competent operators should be licensed to improve competition and service delivery.

LAWMA should establish an easily accessible platform through which residents can report missed collections and illegal dumping. Complaints should receive prompt attention, and residents should be able to track the action taken. Public confidence in the waste management system will improve only when people see that their concerns produce results.

The state government should also invest in additional waste transfer stations, recycling facilities and modern collection equipment. Waste management cannot rely solely on landfills. Greater emphasis should be placed on sorting waste at source, recycling reusable materials and converting waste into economic resources. Such an approach would reduce pressure on disposal sites while creating employment opportunities.

Public education must also remain a priority. Many residents still dump refuse into drainage channels without appreciating the devastating consequences. Every rainy season, blocked drains contribute to flooding that destroys homes, businesses and public infrastructure. Continuous awareness campaigns through schools, markets, religious organisations and community associations can help change attitudes over time.

Community leaders and market associations should equally take responsibility by discouraging indiscriminate dumping and encouraging proper waste disposal among their members. Environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation between government and citizens.

Lagos prides itself as Africa’s commercial capital. Such a city cannot afford to be associated with overflowing refuse dumps lining its streets. Cleanliness is not merely about aesthetics. It is fundamental to public health, environmental sustainability, tourism and economic development.

LAWMA deserves commendation for enforcing environmental laws against offenders. Yet enforcement should go hand in hand with efficient service delivery. Residents who pay for waste collection should receive the service they have paid for. Until Lagos fixes the persistent shortcomings in refuse collection, illegal dumping will remain a recurring problem.

The way forward is clear. The Lagos State Government must strengthen oversight of PSP operators, improve waste collection infrastructure, embrace modern recycling practices, respond promptly to residents’ complaints and sustain public enlightenment campaigns. Only by combining efficient service with firm enforcement can Lagos achieve the clean, healthy and environmentally responsible city its residents deserve.