The Lagos State Government has dislodged scavengers at Olusosun Landfill, Ojota, citing health and safety concerns that their illegal activities, which includes burning of tyres, could trigger a major fire incident.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Folashade Kadiri, Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement said that Olusosun Landfill, one of the largest in the state, coped with the challenge of scavengers rummaging the site for recyclable items, posing significant danger to people’s and environmental health.

The statement quoted the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, as saying that the dislodgement operation was chiefly for the well-being of people living close to the landfill.

“It is our foremost responsibility to ensure the well-being of residents of Lagos.

“The activities of scavengers at the Olusosun Landfill have raised concerns over the health and safety of the scavengers themselves and the larger community.

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“From time to time, we must take steps to protect the people and environment. Their activities can trigger an inferno on the site and this we need to prevent,” Wahab said.

The commissioner said that the state government was committed to enhancing the overall waste management system in the state, ensuring it aligned with the global best practice of safety, environmental sustainability and public health.

He added that similar action would be replicated in other landfills in due course.

The statement also quoted the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, as saying that the Authority would continue to work closely with communities, stakeholders and experts to implement statutory measures that safeguard the environment and residents’ well-being.

Gbadegesin noted that shanties erected on the site would be dismantled, as scavengers would no longer be allowed to live there, but would be duly profiled and allowed to operate only during official work hours of 8. 00 a.m and 5.00 p.m