The Lagos State Government has called on the 57 council chairmen across the state to mobilise residents within their respective jurisdictions for the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, noting that their active involvement is crucial to maintaining a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable Lagos.

Speaking while monitoring the sanitation exercise held on Saturday, May 30, at Alimosho Local Council, the Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness, stating that dedicating two hours each month to cleaning the environment is a civic responsibility residents should willingly embrace.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by the First Lady of the state, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, alongside other ministry officials, including the Alimosho Local Government Chairman, Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, and schoolchildren, commended residents and sanitation workers for cleaning their surroundings despite the low turnout in some areas.

“We recently had a major festival, but today we are cleaning our environment because we have a commitment that every last Saturday of the month is dedicated to environmental sanitation in Lagos,” he stated.

He further urged local authorities to intensify engagement with residents to strengthen participation in sanitation activities and environmental awareness campaigns.

Wahab, who was joined by a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Alimosho, Lukmon Orelope; the Special Adviser on Environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu; and permanent secretaries, including the Permanent Secretary, Drainage Services, Olakunle Adegbite, and Dr Idowu Oyetola, said the state was making progress with the exercise despite its suspension for almost 10 years.

He assured residents that the plan to reward the cleanest local council was still on course, adding that performance figures were being collated and the results would soon be released.

Meanwhile, the Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, who led another team of state officials to monitor the exercise at Apapa Local Council, said participation and awareness were gradually improving, stressing that advocacy must continue to entrench a culture of cleanliness among residents.

“We must keep pushing in order for residents to know that government is serious. Nobody would like to live in a dirty environment because it is a breeding ground for diseases,” he said.

Agoro added that the government wanted residents to voluntarily embrace and participate in the exercise, noting that a cleaner environment would promote healthier living.

He also thanked the Apapa Local Government executives for their cooperation, saying, “Everyone must join hands for the success of the monthly exercise.”