Environmental Sanitation Bill becomes law

Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu signed into law on Tuesday the Environmental Sanitation Bill which makes it an offence to litter the streets and for anyone to run a private refuse collection business unless registered by the correct local government authority, according to local news reports. Violators will be fined between 2,000 naira and 100,000 naira (US $17.81 and $890) if they litter public places, dump vehicle parts on the road and do not dispose refuse in secured bags. City residents will also be fined for failing to clean drains in front of their homes. Restaurants, hotels, stores and schools will be fined for dirty toilets. Patronage of unregistered private refuse collectors will attract a three-month jail term, or a 10,000-naira (US $89) fine. The state has contracted a company called the Private Sector Participants for garbage disposal. A special court is to be set up to try offenders. “The city of Lagos can and will be clean,” Tinubu said.