No going back on monthly sanitation exercise – Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has pledged to intensify advocacy aimed at encouraging residents to embrace voluntary cleanliness, stressing that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise is now a permanent initiative designed to promote a cleaner and healthier city.

The government made this known during the second edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which was observed across the state.

Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, participated in the exercise at Alimosho Local Government Area alongside the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Rotimi Akodu, members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), and other top government officials. Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, led a monitoring team to Apapa.

Speaking with journalists, Wahab commended the level of cleanliness observed in Alimosho, describing it as one of the cleanest local government areas in the state.

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“We observed that some local governments are very clean, and this one appears to be among them. We carried out clean-up operations in some areas. What is important is to encourage the local government chairman and his team, as well as other stakeholders, to do more in terms of public engagement and environmental cleanliness. They have done well, and they also have waste compactors in place to evacuate refuse,” he said.

He also noted the importance of sustaining environmental discipline beyond festive periods, stressing the need for continuous commitment.

“We just had Sallah celebrations a few days ago, and yesterday was also a major festival period. However, today we are back to cleaning our environment because every last Saturday of the month is dedicated to environmental sanitation in Lagos State,” he added.

On compliance by commercial transport operators and residents, the commissioner said there was improved adherence but acknowledged the need for sustained sensitisation.

“On commercial buses, we did not see many of them on the roads, only a few. We have already communicated with the relevant stakeholders.

“For residents, we must continue to engage them on the importance of dedicating just a few hours monthly to clean their surroundings.

“We are trying to build a culture of environmental responsibility in Lagos State, and over time, we will assess progress,” he said.

Addressing concerns about movement restriction, Wahab clarified that enforcement was not the primary focus.

“We are not imposing restrictions. What we are doing is advocacy and conviction. This programme was suspended for almost ten years, and bringing it back requires effective communication, especially with a large youth population,” he noted.

Corroborating him, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, emphasised the health implications of poor sanitation, noting that a cleaner environment contributes to reduced disease outbreaks.

“We are serious about cleaning our environment. Nobody enjoys living in a dirty place. It affects wellbeing and can lead to various illnesses, including airborne diseases. The more we clean our environment, the healthier we become. There is still room for improvement,” he said.

He further urged voluntary compliance, while noting that enforcement mechanisms remain in place for defaulters.

“This is not about punishment, but encouragement to change behavior. However, sanctions exist for those who violate sanitation laws.

“The Ministry of the Environment will enforce where necessary, but our goal is to create a society where people naturally understand that improper waste disposal is unacceptable,” he added.