Lagos rallies council chairmen on reintroduced sanitation exercise
The Lagos State Government has secured the backing of the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LG/LCDA) chairmen for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The commitment was
- By Zainab Olufemi
The Lagos State Government has secured the backing of the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Area (LG/LCDA) chairmen for the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The commitment was reached at a strategic meeting between selected members of the State Executive Council and the council helmsmen at the Alausa Central Business District, Ikeja.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said collaboration between the state and local governments was crucial to achieving a cleaner, flood-free and sustainable environment.
He recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently performed a symbolic relaunch of the sanitation exercise to encourage residents to take responsibility for environmental cleanliness.
Wahab described the volume of waste generated daily in Lagos—estimated at 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes—as a growing challenge.
“Except we choose to play the ostrich, we must admit that municipal solid waste in Lagos is becoming a major challenge in how we dispose and cart it,” he said.
He stressed that the sanitation initiative must be sustained through synergy with local councils, noting that government would not allow waste management issues to overwhelm the state.
The commissioner added that markets across Lagos already observe sanitation every Thursday between 7am and 10am, urging residents to replicate the culture in their homes.
According to him, the state is transitioning from a linear waste system to a circular model where waste becomes a resource, requiring active collaboration from all councils.
Wahab said EXCO members, council chairmen and other officials would be deployed to supervise the exercise statewide at the end of each month, while a monitoring team would ensure compliance.
He also disclosed plans for a monthly award to recognise the cleanest LG/LCDA, with incentives to encourage healthy competition.
The commissioner assured that Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators would continue waste collection services, with interventions from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) where necessary.
He urged council chairmen to intensify public enlightenment on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal, especially on roads, medians, drainage channels and open spaces.
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Roberts, called for stronger collaboration, urging the chairmen to take ownership of the initiative and mobilise their communities for effective participation.
Chairman of Conference 57 and Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Sesan Olowa, who spoke on behalf of the council bosses, pledged their full support for the sanitation exercise.
He said the councils would establish enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance, adding that the chairmen remain committed to promoting a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos.
