ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION: LAGOS TRANSPORT UNIONS TO SUSPEND MOVEMENT WHILE EXERCISE TAKES PLACE

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By ‘Ganiyat Sunmola

The Lagos State Government has called on residents across the state’s five divisions to remain at home and take part in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, residents were advised to clean their surroundings and clear drainage channels around their homes before attending to other activities.

The commissioner assured that sufficient waste evacuation and compactor trucks had been deployed across the state to support the exercise, with the Lagos Waste Management Authority positioned to promptly remove refuse and debris collected during the cleanup.

Wahab said senior government officials would oversee compliance during the exercise. The monitoring teams are expected to be led by Lagos First Lady, Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, alongside members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, while the Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, will supervise another team in a separate local government area.

According to the statement, major transport unions in the state have agreed to suspend vehicle operations from key parks and terminals during the sanitation period to support the initiative.

The government explained that the reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise followed repeated requests from residents seeking a designated time for collective environmental cleanup.

Community Development Associations were encouraged to mobilise residents to ensure broad participation and revive the culture of communal sanitation.

Wahab also noted that local governments, Local Council Development Areas, and private organisations would provide equipment and vehicles to assist with waste collection.

He warned that environmental health officers and enforcement teams would monitor compliance, adding that residents who fail to participate could face abatement notices and legal action under the 2017 Lagos environmental management law.

The return of the sanitation programme was announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a cleanup exercise in Mushin in March.