The State Government of the Centre of Excellence (Lagos) has announced plans to resume the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, suspended nearly a decade ago, in a renewed drive to tackle mounting waste-related challenges and restore order to public spaces.
Political Head (Commissioner) for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunb Wahab, disclosed during an inspection tour of several densely populated areas, including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago.
He said a formal notice would soon be issued to mark the official resumption date, pending ratification by the State Executive Council. The monthly sanitation had previously been observed on the last Saturday of each month before its discontinuation in 2016.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized that the rising volume of waste, coupled with indiscriminate dumping and poor drainage maintenance, had necessitated the revival of the exercise, urging residents to adopt daily hygiene practices to support efforts to keep the city safe and free from flooding.
During his visit to Idi-Araba, the commissioner expressed concern over the unchecked activities of cart pushers operating in defiance of existing environmental laws. He said investigations had uncovered a network of individuals responsible for illegal waste disposal and the operation of a decommissioned dumpsite in the area.
“We’ve observed a surge in cart-pushing activities here, despite existing legislation banning such operations across the state. A syndicate appears to be driving these acts, and enforcement will be intensified to address the problem,” he stated.
The team also visited streets in Idi-Araba, including Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo, where widespread dumping of refuse was documented. Mr. Wahab promised prompt action to dismantle unauthorized waste points and restore order.
At Alaba Rago Market, the commissioner issued a stern warning to traders who had extended their stalls onto the road and drainage paths. He decried the turning of road medians into dump sites and gave the market authorities until the following evening to clear the encroachments or face closure.
“The expansion of trading activities onto the road is unacceptable. If the market executives fail to comply with our directives, we will seal off the premises,” he warned.
He reminded all traders that street trading, especially on road medians and drainage channels, is prohibited by law and poses serious threats to public health and safety.
In Orile Iganmu, Mr. Wahab noted that the Iganmu Channel had become heavily blocked due to indiscriminate dumping. He directed that swamp buggies be deployed in the coming week to clear the channel and ensure an unimpeded flow of stormwater.
As part of broader waste management support, over 100 trucks operated by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have been deployed to areas where Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators are facing logistical constraints. Wahab stressed that residents must play their part by paying for waste services and refraining from actions that undermine sanitation efforts.
“You cannot expect services without contribution. If everyone complies, the system will function effectively,” he said.
He also reiterated the need for households to properly bag their refuse and engage the services of approved waste operators rather than resort to illegal dumping.
The inspection team included top officials from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Engineer Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engineer Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (rtd.); and General Manager of LASWMO, Engineer Adefemi Afolabi.
Residents across the state are being urged to embrace responsible environmental behavior as the government intensifies efforts to create a cleaner and healthier Lagos.
