Lagos evolving, not ‘smelling state’— Commissioner’

The Lagos State Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, says the state is evolving towards a structured sanitation system and not smelling.

Wahab said this in a signed statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Kunle Adeshina, on Sunday in Lagos.

This is coming after a member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Lagos State, Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, while venting her anger against the government over soaring prices of commodities in the market, also described Lagos as a “smelling state”.

However, the Lagos corps member has since tendered her apology over the remarks.

Speaking subtly on the remarks, the commissioner said the Lagos State Government was committed to a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and livable city.

“Lagos is not ‘smelling’; it is evolving towards sustainable waste processing, modernised landfill management, cleaner waterways, and structured sanitation systems.

“The present administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains steadfast in its commitment to building a cleaner, more sustainable city through strategic environmental initiatives,” he said.

He said the state government was fully committed to environmental sustainability and had developed a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and livable city.

“Waste and sanitation challenges in a rapidly growing mega city like Lagos require structural solutions, not sound bites or political rhetorics.

“Other measures undertaken by the state government include the installation of over 50 Air Quality monitors across the state at strategic locations to capture industrial, transport and household emissions,” he said.

Wahab added that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority had expanded waste collection services to reach communities in line with the state’s THEMES plus Agenda.

“Also, in partnership with Ibeju Lekki Local Government, tricycle compactors have been introduced to provide waste collection services on a pay-as-you go model in areas with non-motorable roads,” he said.

The commissioner revealed that the model would be expanded later this year with the introduction of 500 tricycle compactors across similar areas.

He said within the next 18 months, the state would close Olusosun and Solous 3 landfills, transitioning them into modern Transfer Loading Stations where waste would be sorted, compacted, and redirected to recycling facilities.

“This will process 2,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily and generate 60 to 80 megawatts of electricity, contributing clean energy to the Lagos power grid.

“In addition to a ban on styrofoam food packs, the state has also commenced the phasing out of single-use plastics while promoting sustainable alternatives and Extended Producer Responsibilities among manufacturers.

“LASG has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding, with international partners to develop waste-to-resource initiatives.

“This will ensure that Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation,” he added.

Wahab said in the past two years, industrial effluent discharge into the Lagos waterways had reduced by 25 per cent.

“This is owned to the consistency of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency in regulating their discharge through permits, fines, penalties, and outright publicised seals,” he said.

He stated that the state was already implementing bio-remediation techniques to improve surface water quality through natural purification processes to improve the quality of water in the lagoon and canals.

He informed that the state through the Lagos Waste Water Management Office (LASWMO) had deployed three modular Septage Pre-Treatment plants.

“This will enable efficient treatment of faecal sludge before discharge into the Odo Iya Alaro water body,” he said.

He added that the LASWMO enforces strict compliance among members of the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria.

“This is to prevent water indiscriminate dumping of wastewater and ensure best practices in sewage evacuation,” he said.

The commissioner also stated that as part of the street sanitation exercise, 15,000 street sweepers are daily deployed across highways, inner roads, and markets as well stronger enforcement of environmental laws.

“In addressing open defecation, the state is embarking on continuous sensitisation and the construction of additional 150 public toilets.

“This will be complemented by another 250 to be built through public private partnership,” Wahab said.

Wahab stated that the present administration was partnering with local government areas and local council development areas to maintain the over 1,710 public toilets across parks, markets, and residential areas.

Wahab said the State Parks and Garden Agency recently launched a “Trees for Lagos” campaign that would ensure the planting of an additional 50,000 trees in two years.

“The trees will be planted in carefully selected locations on major highways, railway routes, industrial areas, public and private estates, schools, and hospitals,” he said. 

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE