The Lagos State Government is preparing to reintroduce the Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise to address mounting sanitation issues in various parts of the city. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the plan during a weekend inspection of areas experiencing severe environmental challenges, including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago Market.
Wahab emphasized that the renewed sanitation initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure a cleaner, flood-resistant, and more sustainable Lagos. He noted that an official start date will be announced soon. The Commissioner raised concerns about widespread environmental violations, particularly in Idi-Araba, where illegal cart-pushing and an unauthorized dumpsite were discovered.
Citing existing laws banning cart-pushing, Wahab stated that recent enforcement efforts will be intensified. At Alaba Rago Market, he condemned poor hygiene practices and the unauthorized extension of market stalls onto roads and drainage channels. Traders were given a deadline to remove these violations or risk market closure.
During the visit to Orile Iganmu, officials identified major blockages in the Iganmu Channel due to illegal dumping. Wahab ordered the deployment of swamp buggies next week to clear the waterway and restore proper drainage. To improve waste collection, Wahab revealed that over 100 LAWMA trucks have been dispatched to areas where PSP operators are underperforming. He urged residents to pay for waste services and avoid illegal dumping, stressing that proper waste management is a shared responsibility.
He also called for greater public participation in protecting environmental infrastructure and emphasized the need to use accredited PSP operators for waste disposal. Wahab was joined on the inspection by Special Adviser on Environment Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Permanent Secretary for Drainage Services Mahamood Adegbite, LAWMA Managing Director Muyiwa Gbadegesin, KAI Corps Marshal Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), LASWMO GM Adefemi Afolabi, and other senior officials.
Inspection areas included Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo Streets in Idi-Araba, as well as Alaba Rago Market along the Badagry Expressway and the Iganmu Channel in Orile-Iganmu.
Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/
