The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to restoring environmental discipline across the state, with the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, declaring that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise is now a permanent initiative aimed at changing residents’ attitude towards cleanliness.
Speaking during the third edition of the monthly sanitation exercise since the initiative was reintroduced, Agoro said the government would sustain advocacy and enforcement to ensure Lagosians take greater responsibility for their environment.
Responding to concerns over the level of participation by residents, Agoro said the turnout was encouraging despite some people initially failing to come out.
“I wouldn’t say they were reluctant; I would say some were simply a bit lazy. Many were still asleep when we started. As we continue our advocacy, people will see that the government is serious about this initiative. This is the third exercise, and some initially thought it was a one-off event. Now that they realise it will take place every month, I’m already seeing more people coming out to participate,” he said.
He urged residents to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse, stressing that government alone could not keep Lagos clean.
“When people travel abroad, they obey environmental laws and avoid littering. We should show the same discipline here at home. Personally, when I have waste in my car, I keep it until I find a proper waste bin. Government cannot do everything; we all have a role to play,” he added.
The Head of Service also addressed complaints over irregular waste collection by some Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, assuring residents that the government would investigate the situation to determine the cause.
On public safety, Agoro disclosed that officials inspected a distressed one-storey building with visible cracks on Akewusola Salami Street, adding that the Ministry of Physical Planning would conduct a structural assessment and take appropriate action, including demolition, if the building is found to be unsafe.
During the exercise, officials sealed Houses 7 and 9 on Olorunfunmi Street, Oworonshoki, over filthy surroundings and poor environmental sanitation.
The enforcement team, led by Agoro, also inspected Olayiwola Street, Akewusola Salami Street, Alaba Street and Oyenubi Abiola Street, where residents were sensitised on proper waste disposal and environmental compliance.
Speaking during the exercise, Kosofe Local Government Chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, said the council would continue to support the state’s environmental sanitation initiative through sustained enforcement and public enlightenment.
“We have to keep doing this. This is the third time we’ve embarked on this exercise. As a government, we will continue to do our best to ensure that the environment is clean for the people,” Ogunlewe said.
He described environmental sanitation as a shared responsibility, urging residents to actively participate in the exercise held on the last Saturday of every month.
Addressing illegal obstructions on drainage channels, Ogunlewe said owners of freezers and other structures placed on drainage alignments along Olorunfunmi Street would be served removal notices.
“As you can see, those freezers were placed on the drainage channels. We have directed the Head of Environment to serve notices to the owners and ensure they remove them from the drainage. We’ll continue our advocacy efforts and keep sensitising the public,” he said.
Although vehicular movement remained unrestricted during the exercise, commercial vehicles were largely absent from the roads following the decision of transport unions to support the state’s sanitation campaign by suspending commercial transport operations during the exercise.
Agoro also called on corporate organisations to strengthen partnerships with the state through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, noting that private sector collaboration would further enhance efforts to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos.
