Residents of the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area in Lagos State may soon be required by law to keep waste bins or drums outside their homes, with offenders facing a fine of N50,000 or up to six months in prison if a proposed environmental bye-law is approved.
The Punch reported that the proposed amendment was presented by the legislative arm of the council’s Sixth Assembly during the second day of the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Legislative Week.
Held under the theme, “Public Hearing on Bye-law Amendment,” the event brought together residents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market leaders and other stakeholders to examine the proposed legislation and offer recommendations before its passage.
Addressing participants on behalf of the lawmakers, the Majority Leader of the House, Rahman Ademola, said the review was prompted by shortcomings identified in the existing environmental 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.
Ademola explained that the proposed law seeks to outlaw open defecation, indiscriminate refuse disposal 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.”
He further stated that once the bill is assented to, copies would be circulated to police stations, markets and community associations to ensure widespread awareness of the new regulations.
“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 during the public hearing, the Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Adetola Adunni-Abubakar, said effective governance should extend beyond infrastructure development to initiatives that directly improve residents’ welfare and livelihoods.
“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 although the council remains committed to providing roads, schools, healthcare facilities and waste management infrastructure, programmes that enhance residents’ well-being and stimulate local economic growth deserve equal attention.
Adunni-Abubakar also emphasised the need for stronger 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.
