By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State Government has called on residents to take greater responsibility for environmental cleanliness and embrace regular sanitation practices as part of efforts to sustain a healthier and more resilient environment across the state.
The call was made during the July edition of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, where the wife of the Lagos State governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, commended residents for showing increased commitment toward maintaining clean surroundings.
Sanwo-Olu, who monitored the exercise at Eputu London in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, praised residents for beginning environmental cleaning activities days before the official sanitation exercise, describing the development as a sign of growing environmental awareness and community ownership.
She said many residents no longer wait until the last Saturday of the month before cleaning their surroundings, noting that such commitment reflects a positive shift in public attitude toward environmental management.
According to her, residents of Eputu London had started cleaning their environment three days before the exercise, demonstrating that communities are increasingly understanding the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
She also applauded the participation of adults and children despite challenges caused by the rainy season and flooding in some parts of Lagos.
The governor’s wife particularly praised schoolchildren who participated in the sanitation exercise early in the morning, arriving at their council areas as early as 6:30 a.m.
She stressed the importance of involving young people in environmental activities, noting that early exposure to environmental responsibility would help develop future generations of environmental advocates.
Sanwo-Olu said the state government would continue encouraging students and other groups to participate in sanitation activities, adding that environmental protection requires collective responsibility from all residents.
She explained that from the next edition of the exercise, students of tertiary institutions would also be encouraged to participate as part of efforts to expand environmental awareness among young people.
Also speaking during the exercise, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the government was strengthening waste management infrastructure across the state to improve collection, processing and disposal systems.
Wahab highlighted ongoing improvements at the Olusosun waste management facility, including the development of a waste transfer loading station and material recovery facility aimed at enhancing waste management efficiency.
He noted that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators were working to improve waste collection services, but stressed that residents must also play their part by properly disposing of waste.
The commissioner warned residents against dumping refuse on road medians, drainage channels and public spaces, explaining that such actions contribute to flooding and environmental degradation.
He encouraged residents facing challenges with waste collection services to report directly to LAWMA rather than disposing of waste illegally.
Wahab said the government would continue combining public awareness campaigns, advocacy and enforcement measures to improve environmental compliance throughout Lagos.
He acknowledged that changing long-established waste disposal habits would require time but expressed confidence that sustained education and appropriate sanctions would lead to improved environmental behaviour.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Water Resources, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the state government would continue its campaign against indiscriminate waste dumping and other environmental violations.
Rotimi-Akodu commended Community Development Associations and Community Development Committees in Badagry for participating in the sanitation exercise, adding that involving students was aimed at creating a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
The Lagos monthly environmental sanitation exercise is conducted on the last Saturday of every month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., with the state government urging residents to make cleanliness a daily practice rather than an occasional activity.