Lagos hails residents’ turnout for first monthly sanitation since 2016

The Lagos State Government has commended residents of the state for their widespread participation in the first full edition of the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, held on Saturday.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, expressed the commendation in a post on his official X account, describing the turnout as a demonstration of collective civic responsibility.

“Our deepest appreciation goes out to every single Lagosian who stepped out today to take ownership of our common heritage.

“Thank you for taking care of your environment, for clearing your drains, sweeping your streets, and sanitising your surroundings. You have shown that the spirit of collective responsibility is alive and well in our dear Lagos,” he said.

Wahab specially commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat for what he described as firm commitment to restoring the exercise.

He also acknowledged the Governor’s wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the Deputy Governor’s wife, Oluremi Hamzat, for leading the commencement of the exercise.

He said, “I must specially commend the entire State Executive Council led by our boss, Mr Governor, Jide Sanwoolu and the Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, whose administration stood firm in ensuring that this process comes to reality.

“I also appreciate the First Lady, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwoolu and the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat for leading our team at the commencement of the exercise today,” he said.

Local government chairmen across all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas were also commended for championing the process at the grassroots level.

“Your leadership at the grassroots level is the backbone of this renewed civic culture and I do not take it for granted. I also extend profound gratitude to the various transport unions for their collaboration and for mobilis ing their members to actively participate in this exercise,” Wahab said.

He further extended appreciation to transport unions across the state for mobilising their members to participate.

“Your partnership is a pointer to the fact that we are all stakeholders in this movement,” the statement added.

The exercise, held between 6.30 am and 8.30 am, marked the first full implementation of the programme since it was suspended in November 2016 following a court ruling that restricted movement during sanitation hours.

A symbolic launch had earlier taken place along the Mushin–Agege Motor Road corridor on March 14.

Ahead of Saturday’s exercise, the government had announced that enforcement would be carried out by a joint team drawn from the Ministry of Environment, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, the Kick Against Indiscipline unit, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, and local government sanitation officers.

The government had also warned that defaulters would be sanctioned under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, while LAWMA intervention trucks were deployed to cart away bagged waste generated during the exercise.

To sustain participation, the government disclosed plans to reward the cleanest local government area, local council development area and the cleanest street on a monthly basis.

Wahab concluded his post with a call for continued partnership between the government and residents.

“The journey to a Cleaner Lagos and a Greater Lagos is a long one but it is built on a simple and unshakable truth which is the partnership between the government and the governed. When we work together, nothing is impossible,” the statement read.