Lagos Intensifies Sanitation Advocacy, Urges Residents to Embrace Cleanliness Culture
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening environmental sanitation advocacy and public engagement as part of efforts to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment across the state.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during the second edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise held simultaneously across the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state.
The exercise, which took place between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., saw residents, government officials, environmental workers and volunteers participating in clean-up activities in various communities, including Shasha-Orisumbare in Alimosho Local Government Area, areas around Dopemu Bridge in Akowonjo, and Apapa.
Speaking with journalists after monitoring the exercise in Alimosho, Wahab expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance recorded and commended residents for embracing the initiative.
He said the government would continue to intensify advocacy and public enlightenment to ensure that environmental cleanliness becomes a way of life for Lagosians.
According to him, the monthly sanitation exercise is expected to improve over time as residents become more familiar with the programme and appreciate its importance in maintaining public health and environmental sustainability.
"The exercise will continue to get better with time. What is important is that residents understand that keeping Lagos clean is a collective responsibility. Government will continue to engage, educate and encourage people to take ownership of their environment," he said.
The commissioner described Alimosho as one of the cleanest local government areas in the state, attributing the achievement to the commitment of residents and local authorities to environmental cleanliness.
Addressing concerns raised by some residents over irregular refuse collection by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, particularly in parts of Alimosho, Wahab assured that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would investigate the complaints and engage the affected operators to ensure efficient service delivery.
"We have taken note of the complaints regarding refuse collection. The relevant agency will look into the matter and ensure that appropriate action is taken where necessary," he said.
Wahab also urged residents to dispose of their waste properly and comply with all environmental laws and regulations, stressing that sanitation should not be limited to the designated monthly exercise.
He further expressed concern over instances of non-compliance recorded during the exercise, particularly among commercial drivers and vehicle owners who were seen operating on the roads during the restricted sanitation period.
According to him, the government has already engaged relevant authorities to address the violations and ensure greater compliance in future exercises.
The Wife of the Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, actively participated in the sanitation exercise in Alimosho alongside school children, environmental officials, members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), and other government functionaries.
The participation of students, officials said, was aimed at instilling environmental consciousness and good sanitation habits in young people from an early age.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, led a separate monitoring team in the Apapa Local Government Area to assess compliance and encourage residents to support the state's cleanliness campaign.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was recently reintroduced by the Lagos State Government as part of broader efforts to improve environmental hygiene, reduce indiscriminate waste disposal, and promote a cleaner urban environment.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during the second edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise held simultaneously across the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state.
The exercise, which took place between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., saw residents, government officials, environmental workers and volunteers participating in clean-up activities in various communities, including Shasha-Orisumbare in Alimosho Local Government Area, areas around Dopemu Bridge in Akowonjo, and Apapa.
Speaking with journalists after monitoring the exercise in Alimosho, Wahab expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance recorded and commended residents for embracing the initiative.
He said the government would continue to intensify advocacy and public enlightenment to ensure that environmental cleanliness becomes a way of life for Lagosians.
According to him, the monthly sanitation exercise is expected to improve over time as residents become more familiar with the programme and appreciate its importance in maintaining public health and environmental sustainability.
"The exercise will continue to get better with time. What is important is that residents understand that keeping Lagos clean is a collective responsibility. Government will continue to engage, educate and encourage people to take ownership of their environment," he said.
The commissioner described Alimosho as one of the cleanest local government areas in the state, attributing the achievement to the commitment of residents and local authorities to environmental cleanliness.
Addressing concerns raised by some residents over irregular refuse collection by Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, particularly in parts of Alimosho, Wahab assured that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) would investigate the complaints and engage the affected operators to ensure efficient service delivery.
"We have taken note of the complaints regarding refuse collection. The relevant agency will look into the matter and ensure that appropriate action is taken where necessary," he said.
Wahab also urged residents to dispose of their waste properly and comply with all environmental laws and regulations, stressing that sanitation should not be limited to the designated monthly exercise.
He further expressed concern over instances of non-compliance recorded during the exercise, particularly among commercial drivers and vehicle owners who were seen operating on the roads during the restricted sanitation period.
According to him, the government has already engaged relevant authorities to address the violations and ensure greater compliance in future exercises.
The Wife of the Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, actively participated in the sanitation exercise in Alimosho alongside school children, environmental officials, members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), and other government functionaries.
The participation of students, officials said, was aimed at instilling environmental consciousness and good sanitation habits in young people from an early age.
Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, led a separate monitoring team in the Apapa Local Government Area to assess compliance and encourage residents to support the state's cleanliness campaign.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was recently reintroduced by the Lagos State Government as part of broader efforts to improve environmental hygiene, reduce indiscriminate waste disposal, and promote a cleaner urban environment.
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