The Lagos State Government has warned residents fond of deliberately dumping refuse in unauthorised places to henceforth desist from such act or face the full wrath of the law.

This warning was issued by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare during an Operation Deep Clean exercise which the State Government has embarked upon in collaboration with Visionscape to rid the state of refuse black spots.

The Commissioner, who affirmed the commitment of the government to the attainment of a sustainable environment, frowned at the ugly development whereby some anti- progressive forces strive to frustrate the efforts of the state government by deliberately creating black spots of refuse to give the impression of nonperformance by the government.

“We totally frown at acts of sabotage by people who are bent on short-changing Lagosians from the continuous enjoyment of the dividends of democracy being provided by the Akinwunmi Ambode-administration by trying to discredit the well-conceived environment reform of the state tagged the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, which offers an enduring solution, in an unprecedented way, to the current waste management challenges,” he said.

Adejare, who recalled that the present administration, being so passionate about the environment, had taken the bold step to initiate a reform in the sector with the introduction of a holistic, more sustainable and more efficient system to replace the old order, stressed that Lagosians would be the direct beneficiaries of the new system aimed at eradicating diseases, attaining a Livable State and creating wealth and job opportunities for the people.

The Commissioner said that the State Government, bearing in mind the challenges of transition to the new system of Solid Waste Management, had inaugurated the “Operation Deep Clean” in the state.

Adejare stated that the Operation Deep Clean had recorded successes in different locations across the state, including Ojuwoye-Mushin, Eti-Osa, Agege, Alimosho, Ojo, Ikeja, Badagary, Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland, amongst others.

According to him, the operation which took effect two weeks ago has accounted for the clearing of over 12,600 tonnes of waste from illegal dump sites across the state.

He warned Lagosians to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in their areas and also to be vigilant and report anyone engaging in such acts as government would not hesitate to bring the Law to bear on anyone caught working against the public interest.