The Lagos State Government has announced plans to formally reintroduce the Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise in a renewed effort to address growing sanitation and waste management challenges across the metropolis.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement on Sunday during an inspection tour of major sanitation blackspots, including Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago Market. He noted that while a formal commencement date would be made public soon, the decision reflects the government’s commitment to building a cleaner, flood-free, and sustainable Lagos.
“The state understands the essence of proper sanitation and has resolved to commence the monthly environmental sanitation exercise,” Wahab stated.
The inspection tour revealed alarming levels of environmental abuse and illegal waste practices in several areas. In Idi-Araba, the Commissioner decried the activities of a syndicate allegedly involved in illegal cart-pushing and operating an abandoned dumpsite—both violations of existing environmental laws.
“There is a law on environmental management and protection which prohibits cart-pushing. We’ve intensified enforcement in recent weeks, and this will be further scaled up,” Wahab said.
At Alaba Rago Market along the Badagry Expressway, he expressed concern over indiscriminate dumping of waste on road medians and the unlawful extension of market stalls onto roads and drainage channels. He issued a 24-hour ultimatum to traders to rectify these infractions, warning that failure to comply may lead to the market being sealed.
Similarly, at Orile Iganmu, severe blockages were found in the Iganmu Channel, caused by indiscriminate dumping. Wahab directed the deployment of swamp buggies to the area within the week to restore free stormwater flow.
To reinforce sanitation efforts, Wahab disclosed that over 100 trucks from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) have been dispatched to underserved areas where Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste collectors are underperforming.
“You can’t refuse to pay for waste collection and then blame the government when the service fails. It’s your waste,” Wahab said, reiterating the need for residents to pay PSP operators and properly bag their waste.
The Commissioner called on residents to partner with the state by desisting from illegal dumping and protecting public infrastructure. He emphasized that environmental sustainability is a collective responsibility.
Wahab was accompanied on the inspection by several senior government officials, including the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; LAWMA Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd); and LASWMO General Manager, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi.
Streets visited during the exercise included Ojerinde, Ewunmi, Wonuola, Takuro, Paul Okuntola, and Taiwo Streets in Idi-Araba; Alaba Rago Market in Ojo LGA; and the Iganmu Channel in Orile Iganmu.
The reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise comes as the state intensifies its broader environmental enforcement strategy under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
