•Refuse heaps on the road median in Ketu in Lagos
Residents of the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area in Lagos State who fail to place waste bins or drums in front of their homes may face a fine of N50,000 or up to six months’ imprisonment if a proposed environmental bye-law is passed into law.
The proposal is contained in an amendment bill presented by the legislative arm of the council’s Sixth Assembly during the second day of the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Legislative Week, reports The PUNCH.
The event, themed “Public Hearing on Bye-law Amendment,” brought together residents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market representatives and other stakeholders to review the proposed legislation and make contributions before its passage.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Majority Leader of the House, Rahman Ademola, said the amendment became necessary after the assembly discovered gaps in the existing bye-laws.
“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.
He explained that the proposed environmental law criminalises open defecation, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the failure of households to provide waste containers.
According to him, “Anyone found defecating in an open space, drainage channel, or any other public place commits an offence.”
“Anyone who dumps refuse, construction materials, debris or any other waste material in an unauthorised location also commits 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.”
Ademola said once the bill is signed into law, copies would be distributed to police stations, markets and community associations to ensure residents are adequately informed.
“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,” he added.
Speaking at the public hearing, the Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Adetola Adunni-Abubakar, said governance should go beyond the provision of infrastructure to improving the lives 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.
According to the chairman, while the government continues to provide roads, schools, healthcare facilities and waste management infrastructure, equal attention must be given to programmes that improve residents’ welfare and strengthen local economies.
She stressed the importance of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of the council, describing councillors as the closest representatives of the people.
“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,” Adunni-Abubakar added.
