Lagos Arrests Mother After Allegedly Directing Child to Dump Waste in Drainage Channel
Lagos State Government has detained a woman who allegedly instructed her child to dump refuse in a drainage channel, raising concerns on the part of adults in teaching children how to behave responsibly in their environment.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said on Monday that the police raided the site on the advice of the residents.
Mrs McCarthy, who resides in Pedro area of Shomolu, is said to have been arrested following investigations which revealed she allegedly incited her child to dump waste into a covered drainage system which is against environmental laws in Lagos State.
In addition to the environmental issues, the incident has raised awareness about the role of parents and caregivers in supervising children’s activities and teaching them about the risks and potential hazards of their actions.
Parents and guardians have to educate their children on the need to protect public infrastructure, especially drainage facilities which help to prevent flooding, Wahab said.
The commissioner said that “any activity that is likely to impede drainage and lead to degradation of the environment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
As children observe their parents, it is crucial that they have positive behaviours to model, say child protection representatives.
The Lagos State Government cautioned residents who would allow children to carry out activities that infringes on the environment, would be liable to legal action.
