Govt seeks transport unions’ cooperation on cleaner Lagos
Transport union leaders in Lagos have pledged support for the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation, declaring that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers between 6:30am and 8:30am on the last Saturday
- By Zainab Olufemi
Transport union leaders in Lagos have pledged support for the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation, declaring that no commercial vehicle will carry passengers between 6:30am and 8:30am on the last Saturday of every month.
The resolution was reached at a meeting between officials of Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and key transport stakeholders.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the collaboration was necessary to guarantee the success of the sanitation initiative.
He said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration remained committed to achieving a cleaner, flood-free and sustainable environment.
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Wahab said with over 70 per cent of Lagos residents relying on informal transport operators, securing their buy-in was critical.
“If we all agree that we want a cleaner Lagos, then we must cooperate to ensure the success of this exercise,” he added.
The commissioner says a similar sanitation exercise takes place at markets across the state every Thursday between 7am and 10am, urging residents to replicate the culture in their homes.
He advised union leaders to sensitise commuters on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly on roads, medians, drainages and canals.
Representing National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), state Secretary, Usman Teslim, assured the government of the union’s full compliance, saying members would devote the sanitation hours to cleaning their homes and surroundings.
He added that task forces would be set up across union units to enforce compliance, describing the move as being in the interest of all residents.
Lagos State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Shamsudeen Ajala, said the association would mobilise its members and affiliate unions for full compliance.
Represented by Deputy State Secretary Kaojue Abolaji, Ajala said vehicles under the association would only begin operations after 8:30am on sanitation days.
