Lagos records high compliance as monthly sanitation exercise resumes
The Lagos State Government on Saturday recorded high compliance in the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, expressing satisfaction with residents’ participation across the state. The exercise, held between 6:30 a.m.
The Lagos State Government on Saturday recorded high compliance in the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise, expressing satisfaction with residents’ participation across the state.
The exercise, held between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., marked the first statewide sanitation effort in about a decade.
Monitoring the exercise, the First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the turnout as encouraging, noting that the initiative is gradually gaining acceptance among residents.
“It’s a gradual process; people are aware and participating. For a first-timer, I’m impressed,” she said.
She urged residents to adopt daily sanitation habits rather than limiting cleanliness to the monthly exercise, stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy environment.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said compliance exceeded 98 per cent, attributing the success to voluntary participation and effective grassroots engagement.
“People want to keep Lagos clean and safe,” Wahab said, adding that government’s approach is to build community ownership rather than enforce restrictions.
Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Bola Oladunjoye, said the council intensified awareness ahead of the exercise through radio jingles, newspapers and community sensitisation.
According to her, messages were delivered in local languages and Pidgin to ensure wider reach, urging residents to come out en masse on the last Saturday of every month.
She stressed that sustaining the momentum would depend on continuous public enlightenment, describing environmental cleanliness as a collective responsibility crucial to public health.
In Agege, Head of Service, Bode Agoro, also commended residents for their support, describing the turnout as impressive for the first edition.
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“For the very first day, it’s been very good; the streets are clean,” he said, while calling for increased sensitisation to improve participation.
Agoro clarified that the exercise remained voluntary, noting that reduced vehicular movement recorded during the period was due to residents’ willingness to participate.
Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Ganiyu Obasa, said the council had sustained sanitation efforts through the deployment of over 250 sweepers, waste compactors, and regular drainage maintenance.
He described the reintroduced monthly sanitation as a welcome development that aligns with ongoing efforts to maintain a cleaner environment, noting that enforcement would still play a role in sustaining compliance.
The monthly sanitation exercise is part of the state government’s broader strategy to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health across Lagos.
