Lagos State government don reintroduce di monthly environmental sanitation exercise wey dem suspend for 2016, and di move dey spark different reactions across di state. Di exercise, wey go hold every last Saturday of di month, require say residents stay for house from 7am to 10am to clean dia environment while movement on roads dey restricted.
According to government officials, di decision na to tackle di growing waste management challenges and improve public health across Africa most populous city. Lagos generate about 13,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, and di sanitation exercise dey aim to reduce illegal dumping and promote community involvement in cleanliness.
Market women and traders for areas like Oshodi, Mushin, and Agege dey complain say di three-hour restriction go affect dia businesses. “How person wey dey sell perishable goods go survive when customers no fit move for three hours?” ask Mama Chidi, pepper seller for Oyingbo Market. “Government suppose find better way to handle sanitation without punishing poor people.”
But environmental experts dey support di move. Dr. Adedoyin K.S. Lasisi, Programme Director for Eko EnviroTalk TV, talk say: “Lagos need drastic measures to combat environmental degradation. Di monthly clean-up na temporary solution, but e dey important to create awareness about proper waste disposal.”
LASEPA officials don announce say dem go deploy environmental marshals to enforce compliance during di exercise. Vehicles wey dey move during di restricted hours go face impoundment and fines, except for essential services like medical emergencies and security personnel.
Some residents for highbrow areas like Victoria Island and Lekki dey welcome di initiative. “Our drainage systems dey constantly blocked because of improper waste disposal,” talk Mr. Kunle Adebayo, resident for Lekki Phase 1. “If dis exercise go make people take responsibility for dia environment, e go better for all of us.”
Di Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) don promise to provide waste collection services during di exercise period. LAWMA Managing Director talk say di agency go deploy additional trucks and personnel to ensure smooth operation.
Health professionals dey highlight di public health benefits. Dr. Femi Ogunremi from Lagos University Teaching Hospital talk say: “Proper environmental sanitation na key to preventing diseases like cholera, malaria, and typhoid. Di exercise fit reduce di burden on our healthcare system if e dey implemented well.”
However, civil society organizations dey question di timing and implementation. “Instead of forcing people stay for house, government suppose invest in better waste management infrastructure,” talk Comrade Bimbo Akinbola from Environmental Rights Action. “We need permanent solutions, not temporary measures.”
Di sanitation exercise come back as Lagos dey battle multiple environmental challenges, including flooding during rainy season and air pollution from improper waste burning. Di state government don allocate funds for drainage clearing and waste management as part of di 2026 budget.
Business owners for manufacturing and logistics sectors dey express concern about di economic impact. “Three hours of no movement for Lagos, wey na commercial hub of Nigeria, go affect supply chains and productivity,” talk Mrs. Grace Okonkwo, CEO of packaging company for Ikeja.
Transport unions don announce say dia members go comply with di restriction. “We go inform all our drivers about di exercise,” talk Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers for Lagos chapter. “But government must make sure say di time restriction dey strictly three hours as announced.”
Di return of monthly sanitation follow similar exercises for states like Abuja and Rivers, wey don maintain regular environmental clean-ups. Lagos State first introduce monthly sanitation for 1984 under di military administration of Governor Gbolahan Mudasiru.
Environmental scientists dey warn say without proper recycling infrastructure, waste management challenges go persist. “Cleaning environment na good, but we need comprehensive waste management strategy wey include recycling and proper disposal facilities,” talk Professor Chinedu Nwosu from University of Lagos Environmental Sciences department.
As di first exercise under di new policy dey approach, residents dey watch to see how effective di implementation go be. Di success or failure of di initiative go likely influence whether other Nigerian states go adopt similar measures to combat environmental challenges.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
