The Lagos State Government is considering the return of the suspended monthly environmental sanitation exercise as part of its response to increasing environmental challenges and flood risks across the state.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during an inspection tour of Idi-Araba, Orile Iganmu, and Alaba Rago in Ojo Local Government Area on Sunday.
Speaking during the visit, Wahab said discussions were ongoing at the State Executive Council regarding the reintroduction of the exercise, which was previously held on the last Saturday of every month before it was suspended in 2016.
“Lagos is strongly considering reintroducing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Once approved by EXCO, the Governor will officially announce the re-launch. It’s long overdue,” he said.
The sanitation programme had been discontinued due to the difficulty of restricting movement in a growing megacity. However, persistent waste management problems, including blocked drainage channels and the widespread dumping of refuse in unauthorised areas, have reignited interest in the policy.
As the state prepares for the Sallah festivities, Wahab also issued a warning against the sale of rams and other livestock on highways, stating that violators would face sanctions.
“Livestock sellers must operate only within designated markets. Trading on highways is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.
He further revealed that intelligence gathered by the ministry indicated the activities of a syndicate involved in illegal waste dumping and cart-pushing around Idi-Araba.
“Cart-pushing is banned in Lagos. There is a law against it. We have intensified enforcement and will continue to crack down on these activities,” Wahab stated.
He pointed to an abandoned dumpsite in the area that is still being used illegally and promised action. He also noted that illegal trading under the Daleko Bridge would be stopped.
At Alaba Rago Market, the commissioner directed traders who had extended their activities onto road medians and drainage paths to move back into the market, warning that the market would be shut if they failed to comply.
“They have turned the median into a dumpsite and extended trading onto the roads. We’ve given them till Monday evening to comply. If they don’t, the market will be sealed,” he said. Wahab added that while the market leadership had pledged to address the violations, enforcement would follow if no change was observed.
In Orile-Iganmu, Wahab ordered the immediate deployment of swamp buggies to clear the blocked Iganmu Channel, which had been choked by indiscriminate dumping of waste, preventing proper stormwater flow.
The commissioner said the state had dispatched over 100 LAWMA trucks to fill gaps left by underperforming Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators.
“We’re intervening where necessary, but residents must take ownership of infrastructure and stop illegal waste disposal,” he said. He urged residents to bag their waste at home, refrain from dumping refuse on road medians or in drainage channels, and ensure they use only licensed PSP operators.
Wahab’s tour included visits to Ojerinde Street, Ewunmi Street, Wonuola Street, Takuro Street, Paul Okuntola Street, and Taiwo Street in Idi-Araba; Alaba Rago Market on the Badagry Expressway in Ojo; and the Iganmu Channel in Orile-Iganmu.
He was accompanied by several state officials, including Special Adviser on Environment Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Corps Marshal of KAI, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd); and GM of LASWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi.
The state government reiterated its commitment to improving environmental standards and called on residents to support its efforts by adhering to environmental laws.
