In a move to promote a cleaner and more organized city, the Lagos State Government has revealed plans to bring back the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
This initiative is expected to curb increasing waste problems and reduce flooding across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during an inspection tour of various areas including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago in Ojo.
He noted that the proposal is currently being considered by the State Executive Council (EXCO) and could be reintroduced soon.
“Lagos is strongly considering reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Once approved by EXCO, the Governor will officially announce the re-launch. It’s long overdue,” Wahab said.
The exercise, which previously held every last Saturday of the month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., was suspended in 2016.
The state had argued then that it was difficult to restrict movement in a growing city.
However, recent issues like blocked drainage and careless waste disposal have made its return necessary.
Wahab explained that making sanitation a daily habit is now more important than ever.
He added that environmental safety must be a shared duty between the government and the people.
During the tour, Wahab also addressed the issue of illegal livestock trading, especially ahead of the upcoming Sallah celebrations.
He said trading animals along highways would no longer be accepted.
“Livestock sellers must operate only within designated markets. Trading on highways is unacceptable and will not be tolerated” he warned.
Moreover, the commissioner revealed ongoing investigations linking illegal dumping and cart-pushing to a local group operating in Idi-Araba.
He expressed concern about an old dump site in the area still being used by cart pushers.
“Cart-pushing is banned in Lagos. There is a law against it. We have intensified enforcement and will continue to crack down on these activities,” Wahab said.
At Alaba Rago, traders using road medians and drainages were told to relocate into proper spaces.
The state issued a warning that failure to comply by Monday evening could result in a market shutdown.
“They have turned the median into a dumpsite and extended trading onto the roads. We’ve given them till Monday evening to comply.
If they don’t, the market will be sealed,” Wahab noted.
The commissioner also directed immediate deployment of swamp buggies to clear the blocked Iganmu Channel in Orile-Iganmu.
This channel had been filled with waste, stopping the free flow of water and increasing flood risks.
In response to underperformance by some waste operators, the state has deployed over 100 LAWMA trucks across Lagos to support waste collection in troubled zones.
However, Wahab stressed that residents also need to play their part.
“We’re intervening where necessary, but residents must take ownership of infrastructure and stop illegal waste disposal,” he said.
He urged citizens to always bag their waste properly and avoid dumping on road medians or into drains.
Moreover, he encouraged the use of certified PSP operators for regular waste removal.
The tour included locations such as Ojerinde Street, Ewunmi Street, and Paul Okuntola Street in Idi-Araba, as well as Alaba Rago Market and the Iganmu Channel.
Also present during the tour were top officials including Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser on Environment, and Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director of LAWMA.
Reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation is one step toward creating a more livable city.
The people of Lagos are encouraged to support this goal by following environmental laws and protecting their surroundings.
