(refuse disposal. Photo Credit: Daily Post)
Residents of the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State could face a fine of N50,000 or a jail term of up to six months if they fail to place waste bins or drums in front of their homes, should a proposed environmental bye-law be signed into law.
The provision is contained in an amendment bill introduced by the legislative arm of the council’s Sixth Assembly during the second day of the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Legislative Week.
The public hearing, themed “Public Hearing on Bye-law Amendment,” brought together community members, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market representatives and other stakeholders to review the proposed legislation and offer input ahead of its eventual passage.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Majority Leader of the House, Rahman Ademola, explained that the amendment became necessary after the Assembly identified gaps in the council’s existing bye-laws, adding that the review is meant to strengthen the legal framework governing environmental sanitation and other areas of community development.
“We discovered that the current bye-law requires amendment and additional provisions.
This is why we called you here today so that we could dialogue. When these proposals finally become law, no one will say they were unaware,” he said.
Ademola disclosed that the proposed legislation seeks to criminalise open defecation, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and the failure of households to provide designated waste containers.
He explained that anyone caught defecating in open spaces, drainage channels or other public areas would be committing an offence under the new law, and that dumping refuse, construction materials, debris or other waste in unauthorised locations would similarly constitute an offence.
“Every household must have a waste drum or waste bin in front of the house. Every house or compound must have a waste drum,” he said.
He further explained that once the bill receives the chairman’s assent, copies of the law would be distributed to police stations, markets and community associations to ensure widespread public awareness.
“If we all agree to this bill today, by the 15th of this month, the chairman will sign it, and it will become law.
Copies of the law will be placed in police stations, markets and with various associations.
There will be no excuse of ignorance because Agboyi-Ketu has an environmental task force that will enforce the law.
If a house is found without a waste drum or waste bin, or a resident is caught dumping refuse where it is prohibited, such a person will be liable to a fine of N50,000 or six months’ imprisonment,” Ademola stated.
Addressing participants at the hearing, the Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Adetola Adunni-Abubakar, said effective governance should go beyond the provision of infrastructure to also improving the welfare and livelihoods of residents.
“While I concur that Nigeria is a nation under construction, and for some time to come, infrastructure and amenities will remain the major deliverables on the wish list of our people, it is also pertinent that we look into other aspects of governance that benefit our people,” she said.
She noted that while the council remains committed to providing roads, schools, healthcare facilities and improved waste management infrastructure, equal attention should be given to programmes that can enhance residents’ welfare and stimulate local economic activity.
Adunni-Abubakar also stressed the importance of closer collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of the council, describing councillors as the representatives closest to the people at the grassroots level.
“You are the most direct representatives of the people, the very closest to them in the third tier of governance. Your partnership with the executive arm of our local government is therefore indispensable.
We need all that you bring to the table. We need the ones we bring to your chambers to be rapidly ratified. Let these stakeholders produce actionable ideas.
Let us strengthen communication between the communities and the council and make laws that are executable while executing projects that our people truly need and desire,” she added.
