Lagos State Government don direct residents to stay indoors for di monthly environmental sanitation exercise wey go take place on Saturday. Di Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, make di announcement for statement wey im release on Thursday night.
Wahab commend Lagos residents for di turnout wey dem record for di sanitation exercise wey dem reintroduce for April. Im describe environmental cleanliness as important for healthy living and sustainable development. Im urge residents to use di two-hour exercise to clean dia homes, drainage channels, surroundings, and public spaces for dia communities.
Di commissioner applaud di level of compliance wey dem see for April edition, and im encourage Lagosians to improve on dia participation. Im stress say di monthly sanitation exercise don become permanent programme for di state.
According to Wahab, di First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, go lead delegation of government officials to monitor compliance for Alimosho Local Government Area. Di Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, go oversee monitoring activities for Apapa Local Government Area.
Wahab further disclose say di state government don deploy adequate compactor trucks across Lagos to ensure prompt evacuation of waste wey dem generate during and after di sanitation exercise. Im add say all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) go actively participate for monitoring di exercise to ensure compliance and promote cleaner environment statewide.
Di commissioner urge residents to embrace di sanitation initiative and develop lasting culture of cleanliness. Im warn against unhygienic practices and dirty surroundings. Im also caution residents against patronising cart pushers for waste disposal, describing di practice as illegal. Im note say di operations of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators don expand to serve more communities across di state.
Wahab warn say abatement notices go issue to residents wey fail to clean dia surroundings during di exercise, and defaulters risk prosecution. Im reaffirm di state government commitment to maintain clean, hygienic, and flood-free Lagos. Im advise residents to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse for drainage channels and other unauthorised locations.
Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area chairman, Akinola Idowu, also urge residents to participate for di sanitation exercise. For statement wey im chief press secretary, Sunday Adefamoye, release on Thursday, Idowu say di exercise go include clearing blocked drains, removing refuse, and cleaning residential compounds. Im say di exercise aim to reduce spread of diseases and improve environmental hygiene.
Idowu say di council don partner with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and private sector participants to ensure effective waste collection and disposal. Im say dem don deploy two compactors to support refuse evacuation, and di machines go improve efficiency and promote sustainable waste management practices.
Di chairman urge residents to participate fully, as sanitation be everybody responsibility. Im add say di exercise go instill civic responsibility among residents and encourage dem to embrace cleanliness as daily habit, not just one-off exercise. Im note say regular sanitation remain essential for urban communities to prevent flooding and disease outbreaks and to promote healthier living conditions.
For editorial piece, some observers commend di reintroduction of monthly sanitation as timely move to rescue Lagos from environmental degradation. Dem argue say for city wey dey battle rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, flooding, and mounting public health concerns, di restoration of structured sanitation culture be necessary.
Critics don question whether monthly sanitation fit truly solve Lagos environmental problems. Some argue say di policy appear old-fashioned and symbolic. Others fear return to era of excessive enforcement and abuse by environmental task forces. But supporters say di initiative go rebuild culture of environmental responsibility wey don weaken over time.
Di government don stress say environmental cleanliness no fit achieve by government agencies alone. Residents must become active participants for keeping Lagos clean. Di sanitation exercise na behavioural reorientation, to remind residents say environmental cleanliness begin at household and community level.
But di government also need to support di policy with efficient refuse evacuation, stronger drainage maintenance, improved recycling systems, and consistent public enlightenment campaigns. Residents no fit clean dia surroundings only for waste to remain uncollected for days. LAWMA and PSP operators must improve operational efficiency and ensure timely collection of refuse.
Enforcement agencies must operate professionally and lawfully. Memories of harassment and arbitrary arrests during previous sanitation regimes still dey fresh for many Lagosians. Di state government must avoid turning civic exercise into avenue for intimidation or extortion. Public cooperation fit only sustain where enforcement be fair, civil, and transparent.
