The Lagos State government reiterated yesterday the importance of good sanitation practices among all residents to ensure a clean, flood-free, safe, and sustainable environment across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised this while speaking with the media after an inspection tour of Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago. He noted that all residents must adopt good sanitation practices as a daily culture and way of life.
The commissioner stated that the government recognises the importance of proper sanitation and has resolved to reinstate the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, adding that a formal commencement date will soon be announced publicly. He revealed that the ministry had received intelligence about a syndicate behind the cart-pushing business around Idi-Araba.
“At Idi-Araba, under Mushin Local Council, we observed a lot of cart pushers, and there is a law on environmental management and protection in the state which prohibits cart-pushing. In the past few weeks and months, there has been a major enforcement against cart-pushing state-wide, which will be stepped up,” he said.
Wahab also highlighted the issue of an abandoned dumpsite at Idi-Araba, which is being operated illegally by cart pushers enabled by the syndicate group. He said this matter would be addressed decisively, alongside tackling traders under Daleko Bridge who engage in buying and selling.
At Alaba Rago Market, the commissioner recalled that enforcement officers had visited the market multiple times and that it was closed last year with a directive for the executives to implement proper practices.
“They have turned the median into a dumping ground for waste; they have also extended the market to the road, blocking all the median systems and alignment. We have given them until Monday evening to clear these infractions. If they fail to comply, we will determine whether the market should be sealed,” he said.
He added that the chairman of the market had agreed to clear all infractions and take ownership of the infrastructure around the market. However, he warned that if compliance was not achieved within the stipulated time, the Ministry would have no choice but to sanction them.
The commissioner cautioned traders at Alaba Rago Market against selling on the road, drainage setbacks, and road medians, urging them to move their wares into the main market. He stressed that all markets across the state should note that the Lagos State Environmental Law prohibits trading on roads and drainage channels, warning that any market found violating this law would be shut down.
At Orile Iganmu, Wahab observed that the Iganmu Channel had been blocked by indiscriminate waste disposal and directed that swamp buggies be deployed next week to clean the waste, allowing free flow of stormwater.
He explained that the government is aware of the state’s growing population and is committed to building resilient infrastructure. He mentioned the deployment of over 100 LAWMA trucks to assist defaulting PSP operators, stating, “The intervention will continue until we finish our conversation with the PSP operators.”
Wahab also addressed the issue of residents refusing to pay for waste management services. “People want to free ride the system, not wanting to pay for services but expecting to enjoy them. If residents pay, operators will be obligated to deliver,” he said.
He implored residents to support government efforts by avoiding illegal waste disposal and taking ownership of infrastructure provided by the state. He reiterated the need for residents to stop littering roads, medians, drainage setbacks, and canals with waste, urging them to bag their waste properly at home and patronise the PSP operators.
