The Lagos State Government, through its Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), has intensified its crackdown on the sales, usage, and distribution of banned Styrofoam and single-use plastics.
LAGESC on Thursday, destroyed ₦5 million worth of seized Styrofoam packs in a large-scale operation across various parts of the state. The incineration exercise took place in the Epe area, in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
Speaking at the event, Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance policy on Styrofoam products.
“The State Government has declared zero tolerance on the sales, usage, and distribution of Styrofoam packs, and there is no going back on this resolve as we are more than committed,” Cole said.
He also urged traders to comply with the ban, warning that violators who convert road setbacks, walkways, medians, and verges into illegal sales points will face stringent enforcement measures. The goal is to curb hawking and street trading, which contribute to environmental infractions in Lagos.
In a related operation, LAGESC, supported by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and LAWMA, dislodged illegal occupants along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, specifically from LASU’s second gate to Okokomaiko.
The enforcement was prompted by a petition from Lagos State University (LASU), citing the obstruction of roads by illegally parked vehicles.
LAWMA cleared debris left by illegal occupants and miscreants who had converted the area into hideouts, ensuring a safer environment around the university. This coordinated effort reflects the state’s commitment to enhancing environmental cleanliness and reducing illegal trading activities in Lagos.