Lagos Set To Reintroduce Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise

The Lagos State Government is set to reintroduce the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise as part of its renewed efforts to ensure a cleaner, safer, and flood-free city.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Sunday during an inspection tour of Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago in Ojo Local Government Area.

Wahab said the State Executive Council is actively considering the return of the monthly sanitation, emphasizing the need to instill a culture of daily environmental cleanliness.

“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,” he stated.

The exercise, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 due to the challenges of restricting movement in a megacity. However, increasing waste management problems, such as blocked drainage systems and indiscriminate dumping, have triggered renewed calls for its comeback.

Ahead of the Sallah celebration, Wahab also declared zero tolerance for the sale of rams and livestock on highways, warning that violators would face sanctions under existing environmental laws.

“Livestock sellers must operate only within designated markets. Trading on highways is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he warned.

He further revealed that a syndicate was behind illegal waste dumping and cart-pushing activities in Idi-Araba.

“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.

He identified an abandoned dumpsite in Idi-Araba still being used by cart pushers as a major environmental risk and promised immediate action. Illegal trading under the Daleko Bridge will also be halted.

At Alaba Rago Market, Wahab gave a final warning to traders occupying road medians and drainages to relocate back into the market premises or risk closure.

“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,” he said.

He noted that the market leadership had pledged to resolve the violations, but stressed that the government would act decisively if there was no compliance.

In Orile-Iganmu, Wahab ordered the immediate deployment of swamp buggies to clear the clogged Iganmu Channel, which was blocked due to indiscriminate waste disposal and had disrupted stormwater flow.

He also revealed that over 100 LAWMA trucks had been dispatched to areas where Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators are falling short.

“We’re intervening where necessary, but residents must take ownership of infrastructure and stop illegal waste disposal,” he said.

Wahab urged residents to properly bag waste at home, avoid dumping refuse on road medians and drainage channels, and only use licensed PSP operators.

The commissioner’s inspection covered several locations, including Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo streets in Idi-Araba, Alaba Rago Market on the Badagry Expressway, and the Iganmu Channel in Orile-Iganmu.

He was accompanied by senior government officials, including Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu (Special Adviser on Environment), Engr. Mahamood Adegbite (Permanent Secretary, Drainage Services), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin (Managing Director, LAWMA), Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), Corps Marshal, KAI, and Engr. Adefemi Afolabi (General Manager, LASWMO).

The government reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and called on residents to support its vision by complying with environmental regulations.