BREAKING: Lagos State Set To Announce Reinstatement Of Monthly Environmental Sanitation
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean, flood-free, and environmentally sustainable city by calling on residents to adopt proper sanitation practices as a daily routine.
Lagos Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during an inspection tour of several high-risk areas including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago.
He stressed that the government is poised to reintroduce the Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise, with the formal launch date to be announced shortly.
Wahab decried the worsening sanitary conditions in parts of the city, especially the activities of illegal cart pushers and traders operating along roads, drainage channels, and medians.
According to him, intelligence reports revealed that a syndicate is fuelling illegal waste dumping activities around Idi-Araba.
“At Idi-Araba under Mushin Local Government, we observed a significant number of cart pushers, which is against the state’s environmental laws. Enforcement has been ongoing and will now be intensified across the state,” he said.
The Commissioner said an abandoned dumpsite in the area, now under illegal use by the cart-pushing syndicate, will be dismantled.
He also warned that traders conducting business under the Daleko Bridge would be removed if they failed to comply with sanitation guidelines.
At Alaba Rago Market in Ojo, Lagos, Wahab expressed disappointment at the unsanitary practices and illegal expansion of market activities onto public roads and drainage alignments.
“They’ve turned the road median into a waste dump. We’ve given them until tomorrow evening to clean up and relocate their goods into the market space. Failure to comply will result in the market being sealed,” he warned.
He added that the market chairman has pledged to correct all infractions, but if the traders fail to act responsibly, the Ministry will have no choice but to enforce strict sanctions.
The Commissioner also inspected the Iganmu Channel at Orile, which had become heavily silted due to indiscriminate waste dumping.
He ordered the deployment of swamp buggies next week to clear the blocked waterway and prevent flooding.
Wahab said the government is aware of the growing population and has responded by deploying over 100 LAWMA trucks to support areas where PSP operators have challenges.
However, he stressed that waste management is a shared responsibility.
“Many residents want to enjoy waste collection services but don’t want to pay. That has to stop. Every ward has designated PSP operators, and once residents pay, these operators are mandated to perform,” he stated.
He appealed to Lagosians to stop dumping waste on roads, medians, and in canals, and to properly bag their waste and use approved PSP operators.
The Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection by key officials, including the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd); and GM of LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi.
The areas visited include Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo Streets in Idi-Araba; Alaba Rago Market in Ojo LGA; and the Iganmu Channel in Orile.
