LAWMA to arrest buyers who patronize illegal roadside traders in Lagos

People who buy goods from illegal roadside traders in Lagos will face arrest alongside the traders from next week, the Lagos Waste Management Authority said.

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The law does not only prohibit illegal street trading. It also makes it an offence to buy goods exposed or offered for sale in prohibited places

LAWMA said the enforcement will cover trading and purchases made on roads, medians, walkways, setbacks and other unauthorized public spaces. Its managing director and chief executive, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 prohibits both illegal trading and buying goods offered in prohibited places.

“The law does not only prohibit illegal street trading. It also makes it an offence to buy goods exposed or offered for sale in prohibited places,” Gbadegesin said. Anyone convicted could receive a N90,000 fine, a six-month prison sentence, or both.

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From next week, anyone found buying from traders operating on roadsides, medians, walkways, setbacks or other unauthorised spaces will be arrested, alongside the traders, and prosecuted in accordance with the law

The authority linked roadside and median trading to waste dumped in drains, on roads and in other public areas. It also said the practice contributes to blocked drainage channels, traffic congestion and public health risks. “Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations,” Gbadegesin said. “Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law.”

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Our objective is to stop the cycle that allows illegal trading and indiscriminate waste disposal to return after enforcement operations

The announcement comes as LAWMA continues enforcement against illegal waste disposal and other environmental offences across Lagos. The agency recently disengaged street sweepers, supervisors and their service provider over alleged dumping along the Oworonshoki-Berger axis. LAWMA said an investigation and surveillance operation found that the workers had dumped waste on a road median identified as a recurring waste blackspot, and that the sweepers confessed during questioning.

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Traders occupy public spaces because people continue to patronise them. Buyers must understand that their actions sustain the problem and that they are also accountable under the law