Lagos Govt Intensifies Sanitation Drive, Warns Residents Against Environmental Negligence
The Lagos State Government has said that one of the most effective ways to curb the spread of communicable diseases in the metropolis is for residents to make regular environmental sanitation a civic responsibility.
The State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, stated this while leading state officials during the monitoring of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Apapa Local Government Area.
He explained that environmental sanitation should be part of residents’ daily routine, adding that if everyone cleans their immediate surroundings, the entire state will become cleaner and healthier.
According to him, various illnesses, including airborne diseases, can be prevented when residents are conscious of their environment. He noted that the state government will not spare individuals who are negligent about environmental cleanliness and sanitation regulations.
The Head of Service, however, clarified that the government’s approach is not solely about punishment but also about continuously appealing to residents to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal and to voluntarily comply with environmental laws.
He further stated: “But then, we want a situation where we don’t need to enforce those sanctions. We want to create an environment where people automatically know that it is wrong to throw dirt on the road. It’s not rocket science. Why would you throw dirt on the road, especially from a moving car?”
Mr. Agoro pointed out that residents must not wait for the government before doing the right thing, stressing that everyone has a role to play in keeping the environment clean.
On her part, the Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo, warned residents that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is prepared to serve abatement notices on buildings that fail to comply with environmental laws.
She maintained that residents do not need influential individuals to compel them to keep their surroundings clean, noting that environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility.
According to her, people must take ownership of their immediate environment and keep it clean rather than waiting for government intervention, as it is where they live and earn their livelihood.
Hon. Senbanjo, however, commended residents who participated in the sanitation exercise despite the ongoing Sallah celebrations.
The council chairman added that the local government would continue to strengthen advocacy on environmental responsibility while also providing the necessary equipment for the efficient evacuation of refuse generated during sanitation exercises.
Speaking on the duties of sanitary inspectors, Hon. Senbanjo disclosed that they are carrying out their responsibilities diligently but regretted that some individuals undermine their efforts by returning refuse to cleaned areas.
She also noted that the council has engaged residents on the need to stop trading on roadways in order to prevent traffic congestion and the destruction of public infrastructure.
Earlier, the Odofin of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, High Chief Samsodeen Olaniyi Ojora, urged the government to provide waste disposal vehicles for residents to facilitate proper refuse management in the area.
He stressed that since cleanliness is next to godliness, residents should cultivate the habit of consistently cleaning their surroundings.
The traditional ruler also called on the government to intensify public awareness campaigns on the importance of the reinstated monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Meanwhile, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, monitored the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Alimosho Local Government Area.
This marks the second month since the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State, which is observed between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month.
